During takeoff, the defendant, who was intoxicated, tried to open the emergency exit on board the plane, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison, Yonhap News reports.
The defendant was detained in June on board a Jeju Air passenger plane en route from the Philippine city of Cebu to Incheon International Airport after causing disturbances on board. An hour after takeoff, he tried to open the emergency exit but was detained by crew members and other passengers. After landing, the teenager was handed over to Incheon Airport police.
Investigation revealed that the defendant consumed 1.6 grams of methamphetamine on two occasions before boarding the plane to Cebu. His actions were associated with temporary psychosis caused by acute drug addiction.
The sentencing decision was made by a judge at the Incheon City Court. The 18-year-old defendant was found guilty of violating the Aviation Safety Act as well as violating the Drug Control Act. The court sentenced him to a three-year prison term and ordered him to complete 40 hours of a drug rehabilitation program.
Judge Hong said that “the defendant, who was under the influence of drugs, attempted to open an emergency exit on board the aircraft, endangering numerous passengers” and therefore “had no choice but to impose a prison sentence.” However, the court took into account the fact that “at the time the defendant was a minor” and also had no criminal history.
Previously, prosecutors had asked for 5 to 7 years in prison based on the charge that “the defendant, having used the drug, committed acts that endangered the safety of air passengers.”