Refer Report

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will begin construction of Jeju’s second airport, a project that has been the subject of controversy for nearly 10 years. However, the opposition of residents who are concerned about environmental damage is still ongoing, and the embers of the project remain in the process of promotion.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 5th the basic plan for the ‘Jeju 2nd Airport Construction Project’ and announced that it will proceed with follow-up procedures such as design and environmental impact assessment. The basic plan includes a plan to build the 2nd airport on an area of ​​5.51 million m2 in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju. It is expected to have facilities such as a runway, apron, passenger terminal, cargo terminal, and transportation center, and the total project cost is 5.45 trillion won.

After the basic plan is announced, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will begin follow-up procedures such as basic design and environmental impact assessment. Since the environmental impact assessment must be discussed with Jeju Island and must go through the Jeju Provincial Council’s consent process, it must collect local opinions and proceed with related procedures. After the basic plan is announced, the conflict resolution ability of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Oh Young-hoon, who has repeatedly mentioned that it will be “Jeju Island’s time,” will also be put to the test. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official said, “The completion and opening of the airport will take about five years from the start of construction,” and “It is difficult to set the start and completion date right away because we have to go through consultations with Jeju Island.” Completion is expected to be in early 2030 at the earliest.

Discussions on a second Jeju airport began 10 years ago, as the demand for local tourists grew and the existing Jeju International Airport could not handle it. However, there was strong opposition from local residents due to concerns about environmental damage and overtourism (tourism exceeding the acceptable range) that would result from the construction of the new airport. Considering this, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it would pursue the second airport as an eco-friendly airport. In the case of the passenger terminal, 60-80% of energy consumption will be covered by renewable energy, and eco-friendly projects such as groundwater conservation and the creation of alternative habitats for organisms will also be implemented. It was added that measures to reduce the environmental impact of the construction of the second airport will be reviewed during the environmental impact assessment stage.

However, considerable difficulties are expected until the project gets on track. The Jeju 2nd Airport Emergency Citizens’ Committee held a press conference in front of Jeju Provincial Office that afternoon and stated, “The announcement of the basic plan for the 2nd airport without the consent of Jeju residents is invalid from the beginning,” and “The announcement is not the end of the conflict, but only the beginning of greater resistance and conflict.” Supporting groups, such as the Jeju 2nd Airport Seongsan-eup Promotion Committee, also stated that day, “We wholeheartedly welcome the announcement of the basic plan by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The 2nd airport will be a key driving force that opens up the future of Jeju Island.”

Reporter Park Su-ji suji@hani.co.kr Reporter Heo Ho-jun hojoon@hani.co.kr

Source: Korean