Amidst ongoing debates, the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has disclosed public sentiments regarding the proposed second airport in Jeju, collected during the 2019 assessment, conducted five years after their prior.

The scales of opinion are leaning towards favoring the airport.

The main argument supporting the construction centers on the current overcapacity of Jeju International Airport.

With planes departing every 90 seconds, the schedule is extremely tight.

Additionally, the airport’s location makes it susceptible to severe crosswinds, causing challenges in landing and risking safety.

The situation results in increased flight delays and passenger inconvenience, making the second airport a near necessity.

Students from the Global Education City in Daejeong-eup, interviewed for their views on this matter, largely support the new airport for its convenience and proximity, easing travel to and from the mainland.

Opposition voices raise concern about potential increases in illegal immigration, drawing parallels with Yangyang International Airport, where relaxed security measures led to an influx of illegal immigrants.

The financial feasibility of the project is another major concern.

Of the 15 airports in South Korea, excluding major airports like Incheon, Jeju, Gimhae, and Gimpo, operate at a loss.

The closure of Yangyang International Airport and the resultant financial strain on airlines like Fly Gangwon, entering government financed emergency recovery due to the airport’s bankruptcy, illustrates the economic risks involved.

Comparisons are drawn with the initial opposition to Incheon Airport’s construction.

Critics then had highlighted high risks of bird strikes and vulnerability to tsunamis.

However, the successful operation of Incheon Airport has since proven its viability, setting an example that boosts expectation for economic revitalization in Jeju through the new airport.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport plans to invest 6.77 trillion won to construct the new airport in the Seongsan-eup area, covering 5.5 million square meters.

The project includes a runway, a parking apron for 44 aircraft, a passenger terminal spanning 167,381 square meters, and a 6,920 square meter cargo terminal.

The completion is projected five years post-commencement.

This decision comes at a crucial time, balancing economic aspirations with the environmental and societal concerns.

As Jeju stands at this crossroads, the disclosed opinions shed light on the multifaceted impacts and expectations surrounding the proposed second airport project.

Airport projects, due to their large scale, invariably find themselves at the heart of controversy and debate.

Similarly, in other countries and cities, debates over such projects emerge for comparable reasons.

The dispute over the proposed business park near Nebraska's largest airport, Eppley Airfield, involves questioning the high costs and the effectiveness of the investment in terms of job creation.

Despite objections, the development team behind the project defends its plan, emphasizing that lawmakers were aware of the substantial expenses, which sums to $90 million in public funds.

The project includes the development of large, shovel-ready lots for industrial and commercial purposes.

Also, in regards to the Oakland International Airport expansion, environmentalists have raised concerns, arguing that the expansion is a bad idea.

This reflects a broader trend where airport expansion plans often face opposition due to environmental and community impact concerns.

Such disputes involve issues like noise pollution, increased traffic, and potential harm to local ecosystems and wildlife.

These cases highlight the intricacyy of airport expansion and development projects, similar to the situation with Jeju's proposed second airport, where economic, environmental, and community factors all play crucial roles in decision-making processes.

Sohyun Stella Won

Grade 10

Korea International School, Jeju