Since April 20, Korea allows only 2 power banks per passenger in the cabin, and you cannot charge them or use them in flight. On Oct. 10, a power bank caught fire on a Jeju Air flight from Cheongju to Jeju and all 168 passengers had to get off.
Two, each 160Wh or less
Korea's transport ministry revised its dangerous goods standard to follow a new ICAO rule, applied in Korea from April 20. Each passenger may carry at most 2 power banks of 160Wh (43,000mAh) or less; anything bigger cannot come aboard.
The old limit was 5 banks at 100Wh or less, or 2 at 100–160Wh, so heavy carriers need to cut their count.
Plugging one in is now a violation
You may not charge a power bank in flight, and you may not use one to charge your phone. Power banks never go in checked baggage, whatever the capacity; they travel in the cabin only.
Smart Today notes that overhead-bin storage was already banned under 2025's measures; its article does not say whether the new standard changes that.
What happened on Oct. 10 at Cheongju
Before Jeju Air flight 7C227 started to taxi, a power bank held by a passenger caught fire. Nearby passengers covered it with clothing and a crew member put it in a fire-suppression pouch, so the flames went out quickly, but smoke filled the cabin and all 168 passengers left the plane.
The passenger holding it had a minor hand burn. The 19:15 departure left around 00:40 the next day, and 43 passengers chose not to continue.
What about foreign airlines?
Kyunghyang Shinmun reports that Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan already enforce similar rules, and that differing airline rules used to confuse international travelers. It does not say whether the rules cover foreign airlines flying to or from Korea.
