SEOUL: A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for a passenger who allegedly opened an Asiana Airlines (020560.KS) plane door minutes before it landed in Daegu, South Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The man, in his thirties, was detained on landing on Friday after opening the door when the A321-200 plane was about 700 feet (213 metres) above the ground, causing panic onboard.
The Daegu District Court issued the warrant for him on charges of violating the Aviation Security Act, saying there was a risk he may try to flee before trial. The warrant allows police to keep him in custody longer. He was not charged at the hearing.
Officials gave the man’s surname as Lee but not his full name, as is usual custom. Lee said he opened the door because he wanted to get off the plane quickly.
“I feel really sorry for the kids,” he told reporters as he was escorted to the Daegu court for a hearing on Sunday, apparently referring to students who were on board and taken to hospital with breathing issues.
They were all discharged after about two hours, a fire department official said.
