Gwangju Military Airport Noise Damage, Compensation Received Without Lawsuit

Enforcement of the Military Noise Compensation Act on the 27th... Compensation Payments Scheduled from 2022

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 25th that with the enforcement of the Act on Prevention of Noise and Compensation for Damage Caused by Military Airfields and Military Shooting Ranges (hereinafter referred to as the Military Noise Compensation Act) on the 27th, citizens who have suffered from military airport noise for decades can now receive compensation through a simple application without lengthy lawsuits.

While noise damage from civilian airports has been actively supported and compensated under the Act on Prevention of Airport Noise and Support for Noise Countermeasure Areas, there was no related law for military airport noise, forcing affected residents to file lawsuits against the state themselves to receive compensation.

In fact, the number of lawsuits related to military airport noise damage in Gwangju City has totaled 29 cases (168,020 people, 175.7 billion KRW) since the first lawsuit was filed in 2004. Among these, 9 cases (107,665 people) have received final judgments resulting in compensation of 135.3 billion KRW, while 21 cases are still ongoing.

Going forward, under the Military Noise Compensation Act, compensation can be applied for at the relevant district office, and based on the degree of noise damage, a basic monthly amount of 30,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW will be paid annually (once a year), considering factors such as the time of moving in and duration of residence.

First, the Ministry of National Defense will conduct a noise impact survey to designate noise damage countermeasure areas. Survey points were selected by gathering opinions from resident representatives, experts, and local governments, focusing on Gwangsan-gu, Seo-gu, and Buk-gu, which are within the noise impact zone and where noise complaints are frequent, selecting 15 points.

The survey method involves measuring noise twice over a continuous 7-day period (November 23?30, 2020, and the first half of 2021), with participation from resident representatives, experts, and local governments to verify objectivity and fairness.

If the noise impact survey proceeds smoothly, the "Noise Damage Countermeasure Areas" will be designated and announced by the end of next year, and compensation applications are expected to be possible from 2022.

Song Yong-su, Director of the Environmental Policy Division of the city, said, "Many local residents have suffered from military airport noise, but without the Noise Damage Compensation Act, it was regrettable that they could not receive fair compensation. Now, with the enforcement of the Military Noise Compensation Act, compensation without lawsuits is possible," and added, "We will cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense and the relevant district offices to ensure that all noise-affected residents receive fair compensation."