April 24, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Flight attendants of South Korean flag carriers can handcuff passengers who cause disturbance or are violent onboard from March, the Transport Ministry announced on Feb 2.

In an administrative notice, the ministry said it will require the country’s air carriers to carry rope or handcuffs and shoot a video of any in-flight incidents to be used as evidence to report to the police. 

Photos from the incident on KE480 posted to Richard Marx’s Facebook page. Richard Marx Official Facebook

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Such changes will be made in a revision to airline safety regulations announced on Feb. 2 as a follow-up measure against in-flight violence.

“Airlines will be asked to revise their own safety rules following the administrative announcement,” a ministry official said.

In-flight incidents, especially caused by drunk passengers, have sparked controversy in recent years.

As a first case in its history, Korean Air imposed a flying ban on a drunk passenger who was involved in an in-flight assault on its flight last year.

The government earlier said it will revise related laws to allow more active use of Taser guns.

Ministry officials said recorded footage of in-flight violence will allow prosecution of those causing such violence, noting a lack of hard evidence had often led to the acquittal of suspects in the past.

Currently, only aviation safety agents are required to record footage of in-flight violence. Under the revision, all flight attendants will be required to do so when necessary.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)