Height Restriction Standards to Be Fully Enforced from 2030
No Impact If Project Approval Is Obtained Before Then
Final Regulations to Be Decided in the Second Half of Next Year
"We Will Strive for a Favorable Negotiation Outcome"
On July 30, during a meeting with residents at Mokdong Complex 6 in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Mayor Oh explained, "When the movement to revise the height restriction standards began, it was expected that the regulated area would be reduced, but instead, the scope has expanded. However, there is no need for the Mokdong reconstruction complexes to be overly concerned."
He added, "If Seoul City promptly pushes forward with the reconstruction, the Mokdong reconstruction complexes will be able to complete project implementation approval by 2030. Since the revised height restriction standards will be applied starting in 2030, obtaining project approval before then will allow these complexes to avoid the impact of the new restrictions."
If Seoul City applies the 'processing deadline system' introduced as part of its housing supply acceleration measures, the time required for urban renewal projects can be significantly shortened. The processing deadline system sets specific deadlines for each stage of the redevelopment process to prevent administrative delays. Mayor Oh stated, "We plan to appoint a progress acceleration officer and a conflict management officer for each area to ensure that the redevelopment projects are not unnecessarily delayed. We will minimize losses by shortening the project period as much as possible."
However, Mayor Oh also emphasized that he would pay close attention to the final negotiations on the standards, considering other reconstruction complexes that may be affected in the future. He said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the ICAO are communicating with each other and plan to finalize the amendments in the second half of next year. Seoul City will also strive to achieve a favorable outcome in the negotiations to prevent any expansion of flight restriction zones."
The ICAO's proposed amendment aims to relax the 'Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS)', which strictly and uniformly regulates the construction of obstacles such as buildings for aircraft safety. The new system will divide the area into 'Obstacle Free Surface (OFS)' and 'Obstacle Evaluation Surface (OES)'. The OFS is an absolute no-build zone that directly impacts aviation safety, while the OES is an area where development may be conditionally permitted after evaluation.
In response, the Mokdong reconstruction complexes have collectively protested. If Mokdong in Yangcheon-gu is included in the height restriction area, the number of floors allowed for reconstruction will be limited. Under the amendment, the area within approximately 11 to 13 kilometers of Gimpo Airport will be designated as a 'horizontal surface', and the maximum building height in the area will be restricted to 90 meters (equivalent to 25 to 30 floors for apartments). Mokdong New Town Complex 7 is planning to rebuild up to 60 floors, and Complex 6 up to 49 floors. If the height restriction is enforced, the existing redevelopment plans could be overturned.
On the previous day, the Mokdong Reconstruction Association (Mokjaeryeon) issued a statement opposing the ICAO's amendment to the height restriction standards. Mokjaeryeon is an organization composed of the reconstruction associations and preparatory committees of 14 complexes in Mokdong New Town. The association argued, "This amendment imposes excessive regulations unrelated to aviation safety," and called on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to officially submit an objection to the government.
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