A controversial incident at South Korea's Cheongju Airport has sparked widespread outrage after flight attendants from Eastar Jet were seen taking selfies on a plane's wing. According to a report by JTBC, on Feb. 12, local time, heavy snowfall caused flight operations at Cheongju Airport to be temporarily suspended, leaving passengers waiting inside the plane for over an hour. During this time, several flight attendants opened the emergency exit door, stepped onto the wing, and proceeded to take selfies. Some even posed together for group photos.

The incident drew criticism as Cheongju Airport, a military-civilian airport, strictly prohibits photography. Outraged netizens condemned the flight attendants' behavior, with one commenting, "Have they forgotten past aviation disasters?"

Responding to the backlash, Eastar Jet stated that the emergency exit door was opened as part of a drill, but admitted that the flight attendants' actions were inappropriate. The airline has promised an investigation and stated that appropriate measures will be taken.

This incident comes amid mounting dissatisfaction among South Koreans over a series of aviation accidents involving Korean airlines. In December 2024, Jeju Air flight 7C2216 overshot the runway while landing at Muan International Airport and collided with barriers, leading to a catastrophic fire. Of the 175 passengers and six crew members onboard, only two crew members survived, with 179 fatalities in total. In January 2025, another incident occurred at Gimhae International Airport when a tail section of an Air Busan aircraft caught fire before takeoff, injuring at least seven people.

The public's frustration with Korean airlines' safety record has been further exacerbated by the Eastar Jet selfie controversy, with many questioning the professionalism and safety standards of the airline.

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