The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on May 19 it had launched an investigation into how the prohibited item passed through airport security and whether the incident violated the Aviation Security Act, The Korea Herald reported.
The incident occurred at about 6:20 p.m. on May 17 when the female passenger aboard an Etihad Airways flight bound for Abu Dhabi informed cabin crew that she had discovered a 9-cm kitchen knife inside her carry-on luggage.
The passenger, who is in her 50s, reportedly told authorities she had used the knife earlier to peel fruit on her way to the airport and accidentally forgot it inside her bag, Seoul Economic Daily reported.
Investigators determined there was no criminal intent, and the woman was allowed to continue her journey as scheduled.
However, the case has sparked concerns over a potential security failure at the world’s second best airport after Changi as voted by the 2026 Skytrax awards.
Under aviation security regulations, knives are prohibited on board aircraft regardless of size and should have been identified during the screening process.
The Transport Ministry said an inspector from the Seoul Regional Office of Aviation would be dispatched to investigate the incident, adding that those found responsible would face accountability measures based on the outcome of the probe.
According to data from the Airports Council International, Incheon handled 73.55 million international passengers last year, making it the third busiest airport globally just after Dubai International Airport in the UAE and London Heathrow Airport in the U.K.
The airport handled 19.78 million passengers in the first quarter, up 7% year-on-year.
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