Controversy is growing over the South Korean government’s new policy requiring passengers to place portable chargers in plastic bags at airport security checkpoints. The policy has been criticized as ineffective in preventing fires and is expected to cause delays during the upcoming holiday rush.
According to the airline industry on April 20, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport recently sent guidelines to Korea Airports Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corporation regarding the management of portable batteries and e-cigarettes on flights. The document instructs security agents to have passengers remove battery packs from their luggage and place them in trays for screening, offering plastic bags to passengers if needed.
The policy is drawing criticism from both within and outside airport authorities, with many calling it a symbolic gesture with little real effect. Industry officials note that even when passengers follow instructions to place battery packs in plastic bags during screening, many remove them later in duty-free zones, undermining the policy’s purpose. Gong Min-cheon, head of the Incheon Airport Security Union, said, “Passengers are already frustrated with long lines at checkpoints, and this will only make wait times worse,” adding, “No other country enforces a rule like this.”
Experts say that since portable battery chargers are classified as hazardous materials, airlines—not airport security—should be responsible for managing them, including providing guidance and distributing plastic bags before and after boarding.
Some criticize the plastic bags as ineffective in preventing the types of fires the government is concerned about. The measure was introduced after an onboard fire incident on an Air Busan flight in January, which was likely caused by an internal short circuit in a portable battery. While plastic bags can prevent external short circuits caused by metal objects touching battery terminals, they offer no protection against internal malfunctions. Moreover, most modern portable power banks are already designed to prevent external short circuits, making the extra plastic layer unnecessary.
Environmental and financial concerns are also growing. Each plastic bag costs between 17 and 25 won. With Incheon International Airport serving around 70 million international travelers annually, and an estimated 30–40% carrying portable rechargers, the policy could result in over 4 billion won annually in plastic bag costs and waste.
