Samsung Exec. Held in U.K. for In-Flight Antic(schosun.com )

Samsung Exec. Held in U.K. for In-Flight Antics
A Samsung Electronics director was arrested in the U.K. after he created a disturbance on a London-bound flight.

An industry source said Tuesday, the executive, a man in his late 40s, upset fellow passengers when he removed his socks shortly after take-off from Incheon on Saturday and used a moist towel to wipe his toes before moving to the galley, where he used mineral water to wash his feet. He later earned a stern warning after he tripped up a stewardess and made sexually charged remarks, but his behavior showed no improvement.

The source said the executive threw his socks at the meal cart and disrupted service by spiking the coffee on the coffee cart with alcohol, becoming abusive when flight attendants tried to stop him. Showing signs of a nervous disorder, he threatened to harm himself with a razor blade from the plane's bathroom. He was placed in restraints and moved to the "bunker," the crew rest area in the back of the plane, where he was nonetheless able to take off his clothes and urinate. The man was handed over to police once the aircraft touched down in London.

An airline official said the executive did not appear drunk and showed no symptoms of mental disturbance before boarding. The official said stronger sanctions were needed against in-flight rampages that threaten the safety of passengers. Under Korean flight safety and security laws, causing an in-flight disturbance, smoking, harming others after the consumption of drugs or alcohol, or indecency carry a fine of up to W1 million (about US$1,000).