South Korea Plane Incident

Asiana Airlines and government officials say a passenger opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea. Air blew through the cabin, slightly injuring 12 people. Some people on board tried to stop the person, who was able to partially open the door. The plane with 194 people was heading to Daegu from the southern island of Jeju and the incident occurred as it was nearing its destination at an altitude of 700 feet. It landed safely and the unidentified person was detained by airport police. The Transport Ministry says 12 people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

South Korean media say a man who opened an emergency exit door during a domestic flight told police he felt suffocated and tried to get off the plane quickly as it was landing. The man was detained by police in Daegu for allegedly violating the aviation security law. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. The man pulled the door open when the plane was reaching the Daegu airport at an altitude of 700 feet. Yonhap news agency cited police as saying the 33-year-old suffered stress after losing his job recently. He reportedly told police he wanted to get out soon after landing because he was feeling suffocated. Twelve people were treated for minor injuries.

Police say a man who opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea was formally arrested and faces up to 10 years in prison on a charge of violating the aviation security law. During a preliminary questioning, police say the 33-year-old told them that he felt suffocated and tried to get off the plane quickly. Police say a district court in Daegu on Sunday approved a warrant to formally arrest the man. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Daegu police say they have up to 20 days to investigate him before determining whether to send him to prosecutors for a possible indictment. Twelve people were slightly injured on Friday after he opened the emergency door.