Yes. Airlines do check K-ETA status at check-in for passengers who are required to have a K-ETA to enter South Korea.
Before issuing a boarding pass, airlines are responsible for confirming that travelers meet Korea’s entry requirements.
For nationals of visa-free countries, this includes verifying that a valid K-ETA is linked to the passenger’s passport.
If your K-ETA is not approved or cannot be verified at check-in, the airline may deny boarding, even if you have already submitted an application or plan to apply later.
This verification is typically completed electronically by matching your passport information with immigration systems, so a printed document is usually not required.
However, keeping your K-ETA approval details accessible is recommended in case manual confirmation is needed.
To avoid delays or boarding issues, travelers should ensure their K-ETA is approved before departure and that all passport information is accurate and up to date.