A short video showing a passenger opening the emergency exit door on an Asiana Airlines flight as it was preparing to land today has gone viral on social media. According to a statement from the airline, the plane landed safely but several people were hospitalised.
The man, in his 30s, was arrested upon landing, said Yonhap news agency.
The Airbus A321-200 was carrying nearly 200 passengers as it approached the runway at Daegu International Airport, about 240 kilometres (149 miles) southeast of Seoul, on a domestic flight.
When the plane was still about 200 meters (650 feet) above the ground, a passenger sitting near the emergency exit "opened the door manually by touching the lever", the South Korean carrier's representative said.
The unexpected opening of the door caused some passengers to have breathing difficulties, and some people were taken to a hospital after the landing, Asiana said, adding that there were no major injuries or damage.
A short video of the incident was shared by Yonhap. The footage shows wind ripping through the open door in mid-air, with fabric seat-backs and passengers' hair flapping wildly as some shout in surprise.
Another video shared on social media showed passengers sitting in the emergency exit row next to an open door being buffeted by strong winds.