A private bodyguard and a security firm have been fined for excessive conduct while escorting actor Byeon Woo Seok at Incheon International Airport last year. The court not only imposed penalties on the security team but also issued pointed criticism toward the actor for publicly handling his schedule “as if hosting a fan meeting” at the airport.
On October 2, Judge Shin Heung Ho of the Incheon District Court’s Criminal Division 6 fined bodyguard A and security company B, 1 million KRW (around 730 USD) each for violating the Security Services Act.
According to the ruling, on July 12, 2023, the defendants were escorting Byeon Woo Seok when they exceeded their authority by displaying force and restricting other passengers’ movements. Under Article 15 of the Security Services Act, security personnel are prohibited from using force or taking actions beyond their lawful duties.
During the incident, a large crowd of fans had gathered to see the actor off. The private guards reportedly blocked access to gates, shined flashlights in passengers’ faces, and even checked airline tickets, preventing some travelers from entering airport lounges. Investigations revealed that bodyguard A repeatedly flashed strong lights directly at other passengers while following Byeon Woo Seok.
Judge Shin ruled that these actions constituted the use of physical force outside the scope of security duties. “Flashing lights in people’s eyes is a form of physical force, especially when done without any clear threat present,” he said. The court noted, however, that the defendants had no prior record of such behavior and pledged not to repeat the offense, which influenced sentencing.
In an unusual move, the judge also rebuked Byeon Woo Seok himself. “Instead of discreetly passing through the airport to avoid crowds, the individual under protection openly carried out his schedule, exposing himself to fans,” Shin remarked. He added, “If the intent was to prevent filming, the actor could have kept his itinerary confidential, concealed his face, and chosen less crowded routes. Instead, he did the opposite, moving through areas full of fans as if it were a fan meeting.”
The case has reignited debate over celebrity security practices in public spaces and the responsibility of both stars and their management teams in handling fan interactions at sensitive locations like airports.
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