South Korea to Declassify 29 Million Sq. Meters of Military Protection Zones

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense announced on September 21 that it will declassify or ease restrictions on approximately 29.16 million square meters of military protection zones. This move aims to promote public welfare and balanced regional development, encompassing an area equivalent to ten times the size of Seoul's Yeouido.

The declassification primarily affects limited protection zones in five locations: Seoul's Yongsan district, Goyang and Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, and Sokcho and Goseong in Gangwon Province, totaling 8.628 million square meters. In Goseong and Sokcho, Gangwon Province, 6.39 million square meters of limited protection zones will be lifted, addressing long-standing issues of property rights infringement and inconvenience for residents caused by altitude restrictions due to nearby communication facilities. Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, will see 1.33 million square meters of limited protection zones declassified following the relocation of a munitions depot within the Godeok Internationalization District. Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, will have 770,000 square meters of limited protection zones removed to facilitate development of its techno valley and public housing projects. Additionally, 137,000 square meters of limited protection zones around Yongsan Children's Garden in Seoul will be declassified.

One area in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, will be reclassified from a controlled protection zone to a limited protection zone, covering 17,000 square meters. The ministry cited the established residential areas and minimal impact on military operations as reasons for this adjustment.

Furthermore, flight safety zones in four areas, Mapo and Eunpyeong districts in Seoul, Goyang in Gyeonggi Province, and Sejong City, totaling 20.515 million square meters, will be declassified. The Suwon Air Base will be reclassified from a support aircraft operating base to a helicopter-only operating base, leading to the declassification of 19.82 million square meters of flight safety zones, as it is no longer deemed necessary for wartime support aircraft operations. The declassification of flight safety zones is expected to align with revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Military Bases and Facilities Protection Act, which defines types of air operation bases, within the latter half of this year. The Jochwon Air Base will also have 695,000 square meters of its flight safety zone declassified due to the relocation project of the Jochwon and Yeongi air bases.

These declassified or eased protection zones will take effect after being officially gazetted on September 22. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized its commitment to continuing the rational adjustment of military protection zones within the scope of military operations, aiming to improve residents' lives and foster development alongside local communities.