Meth-addled passenger tries to open airplane door midflight in third such incident this year

Korean Air flight at Incheon International Airport. [YONHAP]

A 26-year-old airplane passenger was arrested after attempting to open the emergency exit during midflight.

According to the airport police on Thursday, the woman was on a Korean Air flight traveling from New York to Incheon when she attempted to open the emergency exit.

The woman tested positive for meth.

The woman was immediately taken down by the crew members and was handed over to the police upon arrival at Incheon International Airport.

A person could be sentenced to 10 years in prison when trying to open the emergency exit. The woman could also face a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a fine of 100 million won for drugs.

This is the third time a passenger aboard a plane has attempted to open the emergency exit this year.

In May, a 32-year-old passenger on a flight traveling from Jeju to Daegu succeeded in opening the emergency exit 200 meters (700 feet) above ground.

The man was given a five-year suspended sentence. The Daegu District Court on Tuesday said it had decided to suspend the prison term as the man is in urgent need of mental treatment.

In June, a 19-year-old was arrested after trying to open the emergency exit on a flight traveling from Cebu to Incheon in midair.

The unemployed teenager also tested positive for drugs.

The 19-year-old was sentenced to three years in prison.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]