“Show Your Sanitary Pad”: Scandal Erupts In Korean Customs Office Due To Excessive Body Searches
A recent incident involving a female traveler and an invasive body search at Daegu International Airport has sparked widespread controversy.
The woman, identified only as Ms. A and in her 30s, faced a highly intrusive inspection after returning from a trip to Cebu, Philippines, on the morning of November 8. The ordeal began when customs officials flagged a positive drug test from her companion’s luggage, leading them to include Ms. A in their investigation.
During the search, Ms. A was asked to show her sanitary pad to the customs officers. Citing previous cases of drug smuggling involving concealed contraband in such products, officers insisted on this measure despite Ms. A’s initial cooperation, where she demonstrated the pad without fully removing it. This action, however, was deemed insufficient by the officers, who then demanded that she take it off completely.
Feeling that the request was unreasonable, Ms. A resisted, but customs officers reportedly warned her that refusal could escalate to a prosecutor’s investigation. Under pressure, she was forced to remove her pants, underwear, and sanitary pad to hand them over, feeling exposed and humiliated.
The search ultimately found no drugs, but customs did not apologize for the incident. Ms. A later recounted that the only instruction she received afterward was to re-dress once she left the customs area. She added that her clothing had become unusable due to menstrual blood, compounding her discomfort.
She has since demanded an official apology from those involved as well as appropriate compensation.
The positive drug test result from her companion’s luggage was later revealed to be a false alarm caused by a malfunctioning electronic cigarette. The shocking story has gone viral as netizens condemn the behavior of the customs office. Many even suggest the officers should’ve given the woman fresh pads after making them take hers off.
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