Introduction

SEOUL – If you're planning to travel out of Incheon Airport, you might want to think twice before packing that beloved kimchi in your luggage!

The Incident

In an astonishing turn of events in 2024, airport officials confiscated a staggering 10.7 tonnes of kimchi from passengers, citing violations of strict carry-on luggage regulations. To put this into perspective, with each head of kimchi weighing approximately 3 kilograms, that's around 3,500 cabbages left behind at security checks.

Regulations on Food Items

South Korea's airline authorities maintain stringent guidelines that only allow food items with liquids to be carried in containers of 100ml or less – and all must fit into a single one-litre plastic bag. Unfortunately, kimchi, which is notoriously rich in its flavorful brine, fell victim to these rules.

Recommendations for Travelers

For kimchi enthusiasts planning to travel, officials strongly recommend that larger quantities be packed in checked luggage. Failure to comply could result in a heartbreaking scene at security where passengers must abandon their fermented treasures.

More Confiscated Items

But kimchi wasn’t the only food to face the axe at airport security! In 2024, officials also seized 10.5 tonnes of popular sauces like gochujang and soybean paste, alongside a whopping 30.8 tonnes of various other food items, including rice and fruit.

Understanding the Regulations

This incident raises an essential question: Why are the regulations so stringent? The rules are in place to prevent any potential health risks associated with transporting liquid foods, which could leak or create hazards during flights. Additionally, these measures ensure smoother security processes at airports.

Conclusion

For those preparing to travel, be aware: the confiscated food items are either donated to charity or thrown away, in compliance with health regulations. So, before you head to the airport, make sure your luggage is compliant—or risk losing your favourite flavors of Korea before even leaving the ground!