Cabin Crew Opens Emergency Doors And Stands On The Wings Of South Korean Airlines Triggers Controversy

Illustration of the fleet of Eastar Jet airlines. (Wikimedia Commons/lasta29)

JAKARTA - A flight cabin crew sparked controversy after being seen standing on the wing of the plane with an emergency door opening when flights were delayed due to heavy snow.

Citing The Korea Times from broadcaster JTBC, Friday, February 14, the Eastar Jet cabin crew opened the exit window at Cheongju International Airport at 11:47 p.m. local time Wednesday and climbed into the left wing of the plane and then posed for a photo.

The incident occurred when Flight 703, scheduled to depart for Jeju Island at 10:20 am, was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy snow.

News footage shows the emergency exit wide open, with cabin crew 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 jurisdictional commander.

According to the Law on Base Protection and Military Installation, illegal acts to take photos at the facility can be sentenced to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.

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

"The airline takes advantage of the waiting time caused by heavy snow and conducts emergency outpatient training that is usually difficult to do," said an official from the airline.

However, airlines admit it is inappropriate for flight crews to take photos, adding appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.