Resident Damage Proven Through Science and Objectivity

At the final presentation of the Suwon Airfield Impact Survey held on September 22, it was substantiated that students and residents are experiencing damage across health rights, educational rights, and property rights due to military airfield noise and altitude restrictions.

The research outcomes presented through the final presentation hold significant meaning in that damage caused by military airfields in urban areas has been proven scientifically and objectively both domestically and in the international academic community. This series examines the research outcomes and their significance over two parts. <Editor's Note>

● Professor Lee Soo-gap: "Research Results Will Attract Attention from the Global Academic Community"

At the final presentation on September 22, Professor Lee Soo-gap (Seoul National University Environmental Noise and Vibration Research Center) stated that "globally, cases of military airfields located in urban areas are extremely rare," and predicted that this research will attract interest from the global academic community.

Moreover, among regions nationwide where collective lawsuits are proceeding regarding airfield noise, such as Daegu and Gunsan, Suwon is the only place where systematic and in-depth damage investigation research has been conducted over a period of more than one year.

Suwon Mayor Kim Yong-seo also evaluated the final presentation as being "highly significant in that it is the nation's first commissioned study to specialize and systematize the actual damage conditions caused by military airfields in the fields of noise, health rights, educational rights, and property rights."

Lee Jong-pil, chairman of the airfield special committee, stated, "The research revealed damage greater than initially anticipated," and "I believe this will serve as an opportunity to establish fundamental measures regarding military airfields not only in Suwon but nationwide."

● 21.6% of Suwon's Total Area Exposed to Noise Levels of 75 Decibels or Higher

According to the final report of the airfield impact survey, residents living in areas with noise levels of 75 decibels or higher account for 12.4% of Suwon's total population, or 135,010 people (49,507 households). The area with noise levels of 75 decibels or higher represents 26.18㎢, or 21.6% of Suwon's total area.

The area subject to altitude restrictions due to flight safety zone designation (zones 1-6) accounts for 48.3%, or 58.44㎢, nearly half of Suwon's total area, and the population residing in this area comprises 49.5% of the total population, or 537,000 people. (3,787 buildings)

Furthermore, the area subject to altitude restrictions due to the emergency runway (zones 1-3) spans 6.96㎢ with 3,500 buildings, and approximately 40,000 people (approximately 16,000 households) reside there.

Comprehensively, the total property damage calculated from complex damage and regulations due to noise, flight safety zones, and altitude restrictions from the emergency runway (National Route 1) amounts to approximately 2.2998 trillion won.