Defense Ministry Says 'Suwon Altitude Restrictions Can Be Eased'

Altitude restrictions caused by Suwon Air Force Base are expected to be partially relaxed.

Suwon City recently visited the Defense Ministry and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in succession to propose measures related to Suwon Air Force Base, including easing altitude restrictions, lifting emergency runway designations, and addressing noise problems.

According to the city, an official from the Defense Ministry's Military Facilities Planning Division stated that separate research must be conducted to analyze whether relaxing altitude restrictions for obstacles and certain areas related to aircraft takeoff and landing and flight safety zones would cause no problems.

The city said the official expressed the opinion that a separate research project considering the regional characteristics near Suwon Air Base is necessary while monitoring the final results of investigation projects related to easing altitude restrictions around military air bases such as Seongnam Air Base.

If a research project proceeds to investigate whether to ease altitude restrictions around Suwon Air Base, it is projected that altitude restrictions could be partially relaxed in the eastern region, excluding the northwestern direction of Suwon where military aircraft take off, land, and fly.

A Suwon City official who visited the Defense Ministry stated, "We heard the opinion that some relaxation would be possible if the analysis results show no problems."

Additionally, a Defense Ministry official reportedly stated that the emergency runway section on National Route 1 should be carefully reviewed and considered, though not immediately.

Regarding noise damage countermeasures, a Defense Ministry official stated that while the noise countermeasure scope in the special law on damage is set at 85 wecals or higher, improvements will be made within the budget allowance through enforcement decree revisions.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission reportedly conveyed to the city its opinion that it will coordinate with relevant government agencies regarding emergency runways and altitude restrictions.

A city official stated, "A Defense Ministry military facilities official directly visited Suwon Air Base and appears to be sufficiently aware of the surrounding situation," and assessed that "the Defense Ministry's response regarding altitude restrictions represents an improvement from before."

The official added, "Through last year, we proposed countermeasures for Suwon Air Base to the Blue House and the Prime Minister's Office, and we believe we sufficiently communicated Suwon City's position. From this year onward, we will monitor the coordination process and respond step by step."