▲ Lee Hag-jae, president of Incheon International Airport Corp., holds a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, in this file photo from Jan. 20, 2026, to accuse the presidential office of illegal interference in the company's personnel appointments. (Yonhap)

Incheon airport chief-resignation

Incheon airport chief resigns following clash with Lee

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- The head of the operator of Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, resigned Monday, two months after a heated exchange with President Lee Jae Myung.

Lee Hag-jae, president of Incheon International Airport Corp., was scolded by the president during a policy briefing in December after sidestepping his question on whether proper measures are in place to stop travelers from illegally exporting U.S. dollars by hiding $100 bills in between book pages.

The outgoing chief is reportedly planning to run for Incheon mayor as a candidate of the main opposition People Power Party in the June local elections.

His term as president was due to end in mid-June after being appointed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2023.

A farewell ceremony for Lee will be held Wednesday, the company said.

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