An Eastar Jet crew member poses on the wing of an aircraft at Cheongju International Airport in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Captured from JTBC

A Korean budget carrier has been mired in controversy as its crew members took photos on an aircraft wing while the plane was delayed due to heavy snow.

According to broadcaster JTBC's Thursday report, crew members of an Eastar Jet flight opened the overwing window exit of an aircraft at Cheongju International Airport at 11:47 a.m. Wednesday and climbed onto the left wing of the aircraft to pose for pictures.

The incident occurred when Flight 703, scheduled to depart for Jeju Island at 10:20 a.m., was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy snow. News footage showed the emergency exit door wide open, with crew members standing on the wing and posing for photos.

Cheongju Airport is a military airport designated as a military facility protection zone, where taking photos is strictly prohibited without the approval of the commanding officer of the jurisdiction.

According to the Protection of Military Bases and Installation Act, an unauthorized act of taking photos at such facilities is punishable with up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won ($20,787).

In response, Eastar Jet said that the emergency exit door was not opened to take pictures. The company said the crew members were instructed to open the emergency exit door, which they don't usually do, as part of their training, during the delay caused by the heavy snow.

"The airline took advantage of the waiting time caused by heavy snow and conducted an emergency exit training that is normally difficult to carry out," an official from the carrier said.

However, the airline acknowledged that it was inappropriate for the crew member to take photos, adding appropriate measures would be taken after an investigation.