SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - The head of South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation said on Tuesday that a full investigation into allegations of cash smuggling using books would be virtually impossible, pushing back against an order issued by President Lee Jae Myung.
Lee Hak-jae, chief executive of the airport operator, told a press conference in Incheon that searching for $100 bills concealed inside books would be unworkable in practice.
“Conducting a full search for banknotes hidden in books is not feasible,” said Lee, a former three-term lawmaker of the opposition People Power Party. “It would disrupt airport operations and cause significant inconvenience to passengers.”
President Lee had earlier raised concerns during a briefing by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport about the possibility of smuggling large sums of money by hiding $100 bills in books. After Lee Hak-jae failed to give clear answers, the president publicly criticized him and instructed authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
Asked about alternative measures, Lee said the airport would strengthen existing security checks in response to public concern.
“We will enhance current screening procedures in light of the president’s remarks and public interest,” he said, adding that the airport was open to proposals from customs authorities to improve detection methods.
Lee also rejected calls for him to step down, saying his position was protected by a fixed term.
“I have not considered resigning,” he said, adding that he had not received any direct communication from the presidential office regarding his status.
Separately, Incheon International Airport outlined plans to ease congestion through airline relocations and expanded terminal operations. Low-cost carriers Air Busan and Air Seoul began operating from Terminal 2 in the third quarter, while Asiana Airlines is scheduled to move there on Jan. 14.
The shift is expected to reduce congestion at Terminal 1, which currently handles about 66 percent of passengers, lowering the share to around 49 percent.
Terminal 2 will see expanded capacity, including the addition of 119 security staff, an increase in parking spaces from 19,553 to 25,540, and an expansion of boarding gates from 47 to 63.
The airport forecasts 73.52 million international passengers this year, with total passenger traffic reaching 74.04 million. Passenger numbers are projected to rise 2.1 percent next year to 75.07 million.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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