Saemangeum Airport Protest Moves to Provincial Office: 'A Disaster, Not Hope'

The ongoing struggle against the proposed Saemangeum New Airport has reached a new phase, with activists relocating their protest encampment to the doorstep of the Jeonbuk Provincial Office. For 1,535 days, these citizens and environmental groups have been voicing their opposition, a protest that began at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and moved through the Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Agency before arriving at the provincial government headquarters.

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Saemangeum New Airport is a disaster for Jeonbuk, not a source of hope.

Their relocation signifies a direct challenge to the Jeonbuk Provincial Government, which they accuse of aggressively promoting the airport project. The coalition, 'Saemangeum New Airport White Paper Action,' declared at a press conference that the airport represents a 'disaster' for Jeonbuk, not hope, and demanded an immediate halt to the provincial government's insistence on its construction. They allege the provincial government is abusing its administrative power through interventions in legal proceedings and public signature campaigns.

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The provincial government must immediately cease its forced construction.

The project has been in limbo since September last year when the Seoul Administrative Court canceled its basic plan, citing risks of bird strikes and ecological impacts. While the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has appealed this decision, the case is ongoing. The Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Agency, responsible for the environmental impact assessment, has stated it will not resume consultations until the appellate court rules.

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The proposed site is adjacent to a military airbase, creating overlapping airspace, making it difficult to function as an independent civilian international airport.

Activists question the fundamental need for the airport, pointing out that its proposed location is adjacent to a military airbase, creating overlapping airspace issues that would hinder its function as an independent international airport. They also cite past studies by the provincial government itself that highlighted limitations of the site. Furthermore, a Board of Audit and Inspection report projected annual losses of approximately 20 billion won, making the project economically unsound and environmentally irresponsible. The coalition urges the cancellation of the project and the preservation of the Surak Tidal Flat.

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An audit projected annual losses of about 20 billion won.