Statement Urging Military's Progressive Stance on Easing Altitude Restrictions Near Pocheon Airfield

Pocheon City Council Special Committee on Regional Development and Damage Prevention Related to Military Facility Operations

The Special Committee on Regional Development and Damage Prevention Due to the Operation of Military Facilities of Pocheon City Council, Gyeonggi Province (Chairman Yeon Je-chang, hereinafter referred to as the 'Special Committee') held its 3rd meeting on the 3rd.

The Special Committee on Regional Development and Damage Prevention Related to the Operation of Military Facilities of Pocheon City Council is holding its 3rd meeting on the 3rd. Photo by Pocheon City Council

On this day, the Special Committee reviewed the agenda under its jurisdiction, the "Ordinance on Support for Residents in the Vicinity of Pocheon Airfield in Pocheon City," and issued a statement to once again urge the military to take a progressive stance on easing height restrictions.

Chairman Yeon Je-chang stated in the statement, “Our Special Committee will represent the citizens' position during the 6th Corps site development process, and not only monitor and check but also actively support at the committee level so that the executive branch can proceed with consultations with the Ministry of National Defense and development based on public opinion with rational and reasonable administration.”

He continued, “The core of the 6th Corps site development is the easing of flight safety zone regulations (height restrictions) extensively set around Pocheon Airfield (15th Aviation Brigade),” and argued that “without resolving the height restriction issue, both the opportunity development special zone promoted by the executive branch and its alternative, land development, are mere illusions.”

Furthermore, he expressed disappointment at the Ministry of National Defense’s irresponsible response, which, after the 'Pocheon Airfield Height Restriction Easing Promotion Research Group' concluded last May that easing height restrictions near Pocheon Airfield is sufficiently possible, merely wrapped the natural administrative act of 'conducting consultations' as cooperation for coexistence.

Finally, the Special Committee once again urged the military to take a progressive stance and requested the executive branch to engage more actively in consultations with the military.