Private Bodyguard Fined for Overzealous Flashlight Use at Airport While Protecting Actor Byun Woo-seok

A private bodyguard tasked with protecting actor Byun Woo-seok has been fined for excessive behavior at an airport, which included shining a strong flashlight at regular passengers.

On October 2, Judge Shin Heung-ho of the Incheon District Court sentenced the bodyguard, identified as Mr. A (44), and his affiliated company, Company B, to a fine of 1 million KRW each for violating the Security Services Act.

The incident dates back to July of last year when a video went viral showing Byun Woo-seok's bodyguard using a flashlight on ordinary passengers. Byun Woo-seok was at Incheon International Airport for an overseas schedule on the 12th. The bodyguard used a bright flashlight to protect Byun Woo-seok, sparking criticism and comments such as "This is excessive protection," and "Even BTS doesn't go this far."

As public criticism mounted, the security company admitted through a media outlet that "the bodyguard's action of shining the flashlight was wrong" and expressed a "deep apology for causing inconvenience to the citizens."

The company further stated, "We plan to conduct internal training for all bodyguards to prevent such incidents from happening again," and reiterated their apology for the inconvenience caused to the general passengers and for creating such a situation.

Reporter Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr