[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"Air traffic controller found dead at Incheon Airport left note urging better conditions and staffing", 25 July 2025

A veteran air traffic controller who was found dead at Incheon International Airport reportedly left a note calling for improved working conditions and increased staffing levels for controllers.

According to a JTBC report on 24 July, Mr. Lee, a controller with 25 years of service at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was found dead at Incheon Airport on 21 July.

CCTV footage showed Mr. Lee arriving for work as usual at the airport’s control centre before heading to the rooftop—his last recorded appearance.

A single sheet of A4 paper discovered in his pocket contained a handwritten note filled with appeals to improve the treatment of air traffic controllers and to ensure a minimum number of personnel are secured.

…

South Korea currently employs around 650 air traffic controllers—only about a third of the number employed in Japan, despite handling a similar number of annual passenger flights. This staffing shortfall persists even as air traffic volume, flight routes, and runway operations continue to expand.

Mr. Lee, who had long been active in union advocacy, was reportedly under significant strain following the catastrophic accident at Muan Airport in December last year.