In-flight Security Measures

[Anchor Lead]

Earlier this month, Korean Air came under fire for what some passengers called a slack response to a drunk and unruly passenger on one of its flights. The video of the passenger’s outburst went viral at home and abroad. Now, the airline has announced plans to strengthen its in-flight security measures. Here is more.

[Pkg]

A 34-year-old man surnamed Im created a disturbance for two hours on a flight. Korean Air announced response measures to address criticism that it failed to handle the two-hour disturbance in an appropriate way. Taser guns, previously limited to use in serious situations threatening the safety of passengers, will be actively used to end in-flight violence based on the flight attendants' judgment. The airline will recommend improvements to regulations so that violent passengers can be tied up with simple equipment, such as tape. Violence suppression training will also be strengthened. The airline also said that unruly passengers will be blacklisted and banned from boarding flights altogether.

[Soundbite] Ji Chang-hoon(President, Korean Air) : :We officially sent Im a notice of his rejection from boarding flights. This is the first boarding rejection notice sent to a customer."

Police are seeking a preliminary arrest warrant for Im on charges of violent disruption of the safe operation of an airliner, eight days after he was returned home.