Incheon Airport Orders Homeless to Leave Amid Heatwave, Rights Group Protests

Incheon International Airport has posted eviction notices ordering homeless individuals to vacate its terminals, citing a ban on sleeping in the facilities. The operator said the notices were put up on 30 July, warning that sleeping or staying overnight at the airport is prohibited under the Airport Facilities Act. The notices ordered the homeless to immediately cease such activities and leave the passenger terminal, warning that violators could face fines, detention, and other sanctions, as well as being required to pay for any damages caused.

In response, the advocacy group Homeless Action issued a statement on 3 August criticising the move as hasty and procedurally flawed, and demanded an end to such evictions. The group argued that the notices violate the legally mandated grace period under the Framework Act on Public Administration and insisted the airport operator has a public duty to provide necessary protection for the homeless in cooperation with the local government. ‘Incheon Metropolitan City Government cannot evade responsibility after effectively abandoning the social safety net for the homeless population,’ the statement added.

Incheon airport authorities estimate there are around 16 homeless individuals living in the terminal area. The operator said it had received a number of complaints regarding their presence, as more people have been visiting the airport to cool off during the recent heatwave. The Incheon International Airport Corporation, Incheon city government, and Yeongjong District government had previously urged the homeless to move to shelters, but those efforts reportedly proved unsuccessful. An unnamed IIAC official said, ‘We cannot forcibly remove them, so we posted the eviction notices as a non-binding appeal. We urge the Incheon city government to step in.’