Jin Air flight swept for explosives after passenger gets off plane at last minute

A passenger's last-minute exit from a Jeju-bound flight at Cheongju International Airport triggered a security sweep of the aircraft on Thursday, as authorities followed standard procedure to check for explosives or dangerous items a departing passenger may have left behind. 

The flight was consequently delayed by an hour. 

A passenger aboard Jin Air flight LJ401 asked to cancel their trip and got off the plane at around 11:47 a.m. Thursday, according to the Korea Airports Corporation.

The passenger reportedly told the staff that their “father is critically ill due to a chronic illness.”

Flight LJ401 had been scheduled to depart at 11:25 a.m. but was already running behind schedule. The passenger reportedly got off shortly before the aircraft was due to push back from the jet bridge and taxi toward the runway.

Police and the National Intelligence Service subsequently verified the passenger’s identity and searched the area around the passenger’s seat. The inspection is a security procedure conducted to determine whether a passenger who gets off an aircraft before departure may have left behind explosives or other dangerous items.

Carrying 191 passengers, Flight LJ401 took off from Cheongju International Airport at around 12:25 p.m. after the security checks were completed.

BY PARK JONG-SUH [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]