(Photo= Yonhap news)

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] Incheon International Airport Corporation has scrapped its plan to implement a dedicated entry gate for celebrities, initially set to begin on October 28, following public backlash and accusations of preferential treatment. The decision, announced on October 27, came just one day before the proposed start date.

The corporation had planned the separate entry for high-profile celebrities to alleviate safety and crowd management concerns in densely populated areas of the airport. However, after facing criticism for seemingly favoring celebrities, the plan was withdrawn. Instead, the airport authority stated that it would review similar practices at other international airports and consider alternative measures.

In recent weeks, Incheon Airport sent notices to entertainment agencies, inviting their clients to use this special gate for smoother transit. Yet, the lack of clarity on criteria for qualifying as a “celebrity” and the exclusion of sports stars like Son Heung-min stirred further controversy. Some criticized the airport’s apparent bias toward certain celebrities and agencies, with additional backlash emerging during a National Assembly audit.

This proposal was initially conceived after a July incident involving actor Byun Woo-seok, whose departure attracted large crowds, prompting airport security to restrict entryways for crowd control. The airport clarified that this entry gate was not newly created but an existing access point already used by vulnerable groups, including the elderly and pregnant women.

 

 

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