"Infringement on Residents' Property Rights, Obstruction of Balanced Development in the Southwestern Region"
"Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul Metropolitan Government Must Take Active Action"
On July 15, Yangcheon District in Seoul officially announced its strong opposition to the amendment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) international standard, which is scheduled to take effect on August 4.
The district stated that the ICAO amendment significantly strengthens height restrictions around Gimpo Airport, which, according to Yangcheon District, will further intensify the suffering of residents who have endured disadvantages due to height restrictions for decades.
Lee Kijae, Yangcheon District Mayor, expressing opposition to the ICAO international standard amendment. Courtesy of Yangcheon District.
Lee Kijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, strongly criticized the amendment, saying, "Many residents had expected that the height restrictions would be eased in line with advancements in aviation technology, but this amendment directly betrays those expectations. Instead, it broadly expands the regulated areas and drastically strengthens height restrictions by including previously unregulated zones."
According to the amendment, a wide area within a radius of approximately 11 to 13 kilometers around Gimpo Airport will be classified as a "horizontal surface," and height will be restricted to 45 meters, 60 meters, or 90 meters. If these standards are incorporated into domestic law, previously unregulated areas such as Mok-dong in Yangcheon District, as well as Yeongdeungpo District, Mapo District, Seodaemun District, Bucheon City, and Gimpo City?covering the entire southwestern region of the Seoul metropolitan area?will become subject to regulation.
Regarding this, Mayor Lee stated, "This effectively means a complete halt to ongoing urban redevelopment projects such as reconstruction and redevelopment. It not only seriously infringes on residents' property rights but also poses a significant threat to balanced development in the southwestern region," expressing strong concern.
In response to the amendment, the district clearly presented the following demands to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, urging a joint response. First, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must officially submit a clear position of opposition during the process of gathering opinions from member countries on the ICAO amendment.
Second, even if the amendment is adopted due to support from other countries, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must take thorough measures to ensure that, when applying the amendment to domestic law, no additional height restrictions are imposed as a result of the horizontal surface or straight-in instrument approach surface classifications.
Third, the Seoul Metropolitan Government should recognize that this issue affects not just a specific district but the entire southwestern metropolitan area, and must actively cooperate with each district to jointly oppose the amendment.
Mayor Lee Kijae emphasized, "I hope the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport does not take the consequences of applying the ICAO amendment lightly. This is not just an issue for Yangcheon District, but a matter that concerns the future of the Seoul metropolitan area and the Republic of Korea."
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