Byeon Woo-Seok's Airport Case: Bodyguard, Security Company Fined 1 Million KRW Each - Judge Calls Out 'Person Under Protection'

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Runner star Byeon Woo-Seok's infamous airport security case from 2024 has surfaced again. Almost a year after the incident where his personal security team got charged by the police for violating the Security Services Industry Act, and causing inconvenience to other passengers, the perpetrators have been charged with a hefty sum.

Bodyguard security company fiined 1 million KRW

On October 2, the Incheon District Court announced that Byeon's bodyguard in his 40s and a security company have been sentenced to a fine of 1,000,000 KRW ($~713.57 USD) each, indicting them for excessive protection of the actor which included shining a flashlight at airport passengers and checking boarding passes. The judge held them responsible for engaging in acts beyond the scope of security duties, such as displaying or using physical force against others.Judge Shin Heung Ho stated, "Shining a light constitutes an exercise of physical force and does not fall within the scope of security duties."

Byeon Woo-Seok named by judge

Bringing Byeon's name in the case, the judge added, "The person under protection (Byeon Woo Seok) did not use the airport secretly to avoid the people chasing him, but carried out his schedule openly. If (his actions at the time) were intended to prevent the security guard from filming, they could have kept his schedule a secret, covered his face with a hat and mask, and moved to a place without people. Instead, he exposed their schedule and moved the crowded area like a ‘fan meeting’."ALSO READ: Byeon Woo-Seok To Face HUGE Pay Cut For Solo Leveling? Netflix Puts New 'Cap' After Actors' Salaries Crossed $1 Billion - Report

About airport controversy incident

On July 12, 2024, Byeon arrived at the Incheon International Airport to catch his flight to Hong Kong. As he entered Gate 2 on Terminal 2's third floor a large crowd began to form, and his private security personnel closed the gate for over 10 minutes and flashed lights causing inconvenience to other passengers. Some even claimed that the security men checked passenger's tickets, IDs and passports without permission, and prevented them from using the airport lounge.The Incheon International Airport filed a lawsuit against the security company. Byeon's agency Varo Entertainment later issued a statement of apology.