Jeonnam Province's '13-Year-Long Wish' Heuksan Airport Construction Project Gets on Track

Change in Dadohaehaesang National Park Plan Approved by Ministry of Environment Review

183.3 Billion KRW Invested Targeting 2026 Opening... Expectation for Improved Mobility Rights

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The long-awaited Heuksan Airport construction project, a longstanding wish of Jeonnam Province for 13 years, has entered the main track.

Jeonnam Province announced on the 31st that the 'Dadohae Marine National Park Plan Change' to lift the national park designation on the planned airport site, which was the biggest obstacle to the construction of Heuksan Airport, passed the review by the National Park Committee of the Ministry of Environment on the 31st.

Heuksan Airport is planned to be built by 2026 with a budget of 183.3 billion KRW on a 683,000㎡ site, including a 1,200m long and 30m wide runway, apron, terminal, and other auxiliary facilities. 50-seat aircraft will take off and land.

Originally scheduled to open in 2020, the project faced difficulties after the announcement of the '4th Mid-to-Long-Term Comprehensive Airport Development Plan' in 2011, encountering opposition from environmental groups concerned about protecting migratory bird habitats and environmental damage. The 'Dadohae Marine National Park Plan Change' was repeatedly deferred in the National Park Committee review, causing ongoing setbacks.

Meanwhile, the region also suffered the grievance of discrimination with the passage of the 'Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act' in the National Assembly.

In response, the province and Shinan County proposed to the Ministry of Environment a 'National Park Alternative Inclusion Area Change Plan' that excludes Heuksan Island from the national park by utilizing the total area system of national parks and includes high conservation value tidal flat areas into the national park. The local community united with both public and private sectors conducting a public opinion survey on the construction of Heuksan Airport and submitting petitions to 12 institutions including the Blue House, putting their utmost effort into the project.

With the airport site being removed from the national park, the province expects to promptly proceed with follow-up administrative procedures such as environmental impact assessments and detailed design, which had been suspended since 2017, and anticipates that construction can begin within this year.

Once the airport is built, the travel time from Seoul to Heuksan Island, which currently takes over 6 hours, will be reduced to about 1 hour, greatly improving mobility rights for residents in remote and island areas who are transportation disadvantaged, as well as tourists.

Additionally, it is expected to significantly contribute to regional economic development with an annual production inducement effect of approximately 153.5 billion KRW, about 64.5 billion KRW in added value, and the creation of 1,189 jobs through revitalization of local tourism and other industries.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, said, "The construction of Heuksan Airport will improve mobility rights for island residents and tourists, develop the regional economy, and enhance emergency medical services. We will make every effort to ensure the airport opens smoothly in 2026."