(Yonhap)

South Korean singer Kim Jang-hoon faces a fine for smoking on board a home-bound plane from France, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The prosecution said that it had indicted Kim on charges of violating the domestic aviation safety law and imposed a fine of 1 million won ($92,100) on the 51-year-old musician.

He reportedly smoked a cigarette on Thursday in a toilet of a Korean Air flight bound for Incheon from Paris.

After a smoke alarm sounded, flight attendants rushed to the toilet to stop him from smoking. He apologized immediately, according to a prosecution official.

The police brought him in for questioning after he arrived at Incheon International Airport.

“I was under a lot of stress after my scheduled performance was canceled. I smoked due to panic disorder,” Kim said during the questioning.

Kim has long been known for his good deeds and donations, worth more than 10 billion so far, to poor students and children.

He has also been actively engaged in social movements, campaigning for Korea’s sovereignty over the disputed islets of Dokdo.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)