Airport Safety Stagnates Despite Muan Incident... Insufficient Measures Ahead of APEC Summit

Government Aimed to Complete Improvements by Year-End
Only One Airport Has Finished Safety Upgrades
Gimhae Airport, Main APEC Hub, Receives Only Temporary Fixes

Following the Muan Airport incident, the government announced that it would ensure safety in response to emergency aircraft landings no later than the end of this year. However, improvements to airport facilities remain insufficient. Even Gimhae Airport, which will serve as the main airport during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, has only undergone temporary upgrades.

National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit held on the 27th at the Incheon International Airport Corporation main conference room in Jung-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News

Joo Jongwan, Director General for Aviation Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit held at Incheon International Airport Corporation on the 27th, "Some of the airport facility safety improvements have been delayed. The only completed site is Pohang Gyeongju Airport."

It was found that Gimhae Airport, which will be the main airport during the APEC Summit, has only received temporary improvements. Director General Joo said, "Initially, we planned to complete the main construction before APEC, but we carried out temporary work first and will proceed with the main construction after APEC."

In January, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a plan to improve airport facility safety, including azimuth guidance facilities (localizers). The plan involves removing hazardous facilities around runways to create an environment where aircraft can make emergency stops. The original goal was to complete these facility improvements in the first half of this year, or at the latest, by the end of the year.

Assemblywoman Kim Heejung of the People Power Party criticized, "With world leaders about to attend the event, how can the public feel assured if the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Airports Corporation are handling affairs in this manner?"