IVE’s Jang Wonyoung raises both hands to greet fans. Yonhap News Agency

The controversy stirred by IVE member Jang Wonyoung during departure screening has ultimately led to improvements in guidance methods.

On the 16th, it was confirmed that Korea Airports Corporation is pursuing plans to revise guidance methods, including on its website, with a focus on strengthening procedures for passengers at departure. An official explained, “We are reviewing a direction to reinforce the content of posted departure guidance, and we plan to proceed accordingly.”

In connection with the identity verification controversy that arose from video of Jang Wonyoung departing from Gimpo Airport, the corporation intends to directly overhaul its guidance methods.

The corporation plans to strengthen its policy of conducting the same identity verification for all passengers at 14 airports nationwide, in accordance with the Aviation Security Standard Procedure, which states: ‘If there are items that cover the face (hats, sunglasses, masks, etc.), request that they be removed before verifying identity.’

The controversy dates back to the 30th of last month. That day, Jang Wonyoung departed for Shanghai, China via Gimpo International Airport. During the departure process, she underwent identity verification by an airport employee. The employee asked her to lower her mask for a facial check, and Jang complied by lifting her hat and lowering her mask.

However, the footage prompted criticism that Jang Wonyoung did not properly comply with the staff member’s request.

It ultimately led to a civil complaint. As this newspaper reported, on the 15th a complaint was filed with the Security Management Department of the Gimpo Airport Operations Division at Korea Airports Corporation, calling for the criteria and official guidance for identity verification at the international departures hall of Gimpo International Airport to be made more specific.

The complaint pointed out that, at Incheon International Airport, notices explicitly state at the first stage of security screening: ‘To confirm identity, please briefly remove masks, hats, and sunglasses,’ whereas at Gimpo International Airport the corresponding guidance is unclear.

The complainant stated, “If this is a procedure that passengers must actually follow, it should be easy for anyone to verify,” and requested that, if such rules exist, their titles, responsible departments, and provisions be specified, and that it be explained whether they are applied uniformly to all passengers across the airports under jurisdiction, including Gimpo International Airport.

In response, the corporation said, “We plan to actively inform and promote the passenger identity verification procedures through various means, including additional postings on our website going forward.”