[2025 Audit] Severe Shortage of Frontline Air Traffic Controllers for 'Aviation Safety'... "Overwork Is Routine"

National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Audit Held on the 13th

The number of air traffic controllers responsible for aviation safety is approximately 30% below the government-mandated standard.

According to data obtained by Assemblyman Yoon Jongoh of the Progressive Party, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 534 air traffic controllers were needed nationwide last year, but only 388 were actually on duty. This represents a staffing rate of 73%. At the Muan Control Tower, where an accident occurred in December last year, the ministry's staffing standard requires 20 controllers, but only 7 were present.

Due to the shortage of personnel compared to the authorized number, controllers are suffering from excessive workloads. According to the average working hours for controllers submitted by the ministry, in 7 out of 15 control centers, controllers worked an average of more than 52 hours per week. At the Muan Control Tower, except for the period from January to May this year, controllers worked up to more than 66 hours per week.

Assemblyman Yoon pointed out, "Although air traffic controllers hold highly specialized safety positions directly linked to the lives of the public, chronic understaffing inevitably leads to routine overwork," adding, "Controllers may face chronic fatigue and decreased concentration, which can result in serious safety issues."

Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Apron Control Tower / Yeongjongdo = Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

Assemblyman Bae Junyoung of the People Power Party, who also serves on the same committee, made similar observations. According to Assemblyman Bae's office, at Incheon Airport, during the peak period of 8 to 9 a.m., eight controllers are required to manage 81.1 aircraft movements, but in reality, only one or two controllers were on duty.

Previously, in 2019, a review of this issue concluded that additional staffing was necessary, but even after about five years, only 34 additional controllers have been hired. Assemblyman Bae especially noted that there is no scientific standard to determine the workload that a single controller can handle based on air traffic volume and airspace complexity, resulting in a persistent system-level management gap.

Assemblyman Bae emphasized, "The government must simultaneously establish air traffic control standards, increase staffing, and normalize the task force," adding, "If the control system wavers due to staff shortages and structural neglect, even a single mistake can lead to a major disaster."