Gov't official gets suspended sentence for booking, canceling first class airline tickets for lounge access

A government official has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for repeatedly booking and canceling first class flight tickets to gain access to airport lounges.

 
The Incheon District Court sentenced an official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 240 hours of community service. The official was convicted on charges of fraud and obstruction of business.

The official was found guilty of booking first class tickets on 33 occasions between Jan. 19, 2018, and Nov. 8, 2023, using the airline lounges for food and amenities, then canceling the reservations to obtain refunds, according to prosecutors.

 
The official exploited the airline’s policy that allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking by using the ticket to enter the lounge, eat and collect souvenirs before canceling.

 
During the trial, the defendant argued that the airline had violated the Personal Information Protection Act by accessing personal data and sharing it with investigators. However, the court ruled that the airline’s actions were lawful, as the information was provided in the process of reporting a crime, as permitted under the law.

 
“Although this was the defendant’s first offense and the financial damage has not been specifically quantified, the court took into account the motive and other surrounding circumstances,” said the judge.

Source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11-25/national/socialAffairs/

Comprehension

What crime was the government official convicted of?
What was the sentence given by the Incheon District Court?
How many times did the official book and cancel first-class tickets?
For what purpose did the official book these first-class tickets?
What airline policy did the official take advantage of?
What period did the fraudulent activity occur between?
What was the defendant’s argument regarding personal information?
Why did the court say the airline’s data sharing was lawful?

Discussion

Do you think a suspended sentence and community service are appropriate for this crime? Why or why not?
Should airlines change their cancellation policies to prevent similar abuses?
How does this case affect public trust in government officials?
Why do you think the official continued this behavior for so many years?
Is using a loophole in a system the same as committing fraud? Explain your opinion.
What responsibility do companies have when they find suspicious activity by customers?
Should first-time offenders receive lighter sentences?
How might this incident impact airport lounge policies in the future?
What would be a fair consequence for someone who abused a similar policy in a private company?
How can governments educate officials about ethics and proper conduct?

Vocabulary

Suspended sentence – A prison sentence that is not enforced unless another crime is committed.
Fraud – Wrongful or criminal deception intended for personal gain.
Obstruction of business – Interfering with or disrupting a company’s normal operations.
Amenities – Useful or pleasant services or features provided to people.
Exploit – To take advantage of something, often unfairly.
Policy – A rule or guideline made by an organization.
Quantified – Measured or expressed in numbers.
Surrounding circumstances – The conditions or context related to an event or behavior.