[Issue] Muan's Air Routes Closed for a Year... Growing Calls in Gwangju to "At Least Resume International Flights"

Muan Airport Remains Closed... Locals Forced to Use Gimhae and Incheon
Residents Lament "Severe Loss of Time and Money"
Tourism and Travel Industry: "Losses Exceed 100 Billion Won... Reaching the Limit"
Jeollanam-do: "Safety First"... Gwangju City: "Considering International Flights"
Bereaved Families: "Doubts About the Investigation... All We Want Is the Truth"

Kang Mingoo, a 39-year-old resident of Gwangju, has booked a flight to Osaka, Japan, for next month. The flight departs from Gimhae Airport at 8:40 a.m. on a Friday. He is still weighing whether to head straight to the airport after work the previous day or to leave at dawn. "It's about 260 kilometers from Gwangju to Gimhae, so if I stop at a rest area once or twice, it takes at least three hours," he said.

Kang paused with a sigh before continuing. "The Muan Airport disaster was a deeply painful event. I even visited the site to pay my respects. For now, I just have to endure the inconvenience."

Muan International Airport has been closed since the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster in December of last year. Nearly a year has passed, but the runway remains empty. Safety measures have not been completed, and the government's final investigation results have not been released. Naturally, travelers have shifted to Gimhae, Incheon, and Cheongju airports. People now check bus tickets before looking at flight tickets. Whether to book accommodation for the night before or to travel at dawn, even a short trip now requires extra planning.

Severed Air Routes, and the Desperation to "At Least Open Gwangju"

Gwangju Airport panorama.

Muan is absent from the winter international flight schedule through March next year. Gimhae has 37 routes, Cheongju 18, Daegu 16, and Jeju 17, but none for Muan. The tourism industry in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do estimates that cumulative losses since the suspension of operations have exceeded 100 billion won as of June this year. If the closure continues through March next year, losses are expected to surpass 200 billion won.

Shin Seokhyeon, President of the Gwangju Tourism Association, said, "The situation may change depending on the results of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board in the second half of the year, but there are serious concerns that if the investigation is extended again, the difficulties may last until the end of next year." He added, "That is why there have been calls for the temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport. The Chuseok travel rush has disappeared, and the travel industry is on the verge of collapse." He continued, "If temporary operations at Gwangju Airport are approved, we could prevent long-term losses even if it means incurring additional costs. This is a request to open at least temporary international flights, regardless of the military airport issue."

An official from the Jeollanam-do travel industry, who requested anonymity, said, "There is a widespread belief that flights may not resume until the end of next year. The government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport have not presented any roadmap. It is only natural that people are now talking about utilizing Gwangju Airport for a certain period." He added, "We fully understand the feelings of the bereaved families, but we are also barely holding on."

Such appeals from the local industry have led to action from local councils. On October 31, the Gwangsan-gu Council issued a statement urging the reopening of Muan Airport and the temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport. The council stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport continues to ignore requests for temporary flights and only extends the closure. The government must complete runway construction early and promptly present a reopening schedule and a medium- to long-term roadmap."

Delayed Investigation and Mounting Losses... Reopening Discussions at a Standstill

Gwangju Military Airport Fighter Jet Training Scene. Provided by Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju

Both the reopening of Muan Airport and the temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport remain at a standstill. Responsibility for the disaster and the identification of its cause have not been finalized, and the demolition and replacement of the concrete mound (localizer support structure) at the end of the runway have not yet begun.

The original plan was to demolish the structure and replace it with a lightweight steel frame by August, but with the final results of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board delayed, construction has been halted. During a recent National Assembly audit, it was pointed out that "the removal of concrete-type localizer structures at airports nationwide is being delayed."

The suspension of airport operations has been repeatedly extended in three-month increments. On October 3, the Muan branch of Korea Airports Corporation announced that the suspension period would be extended until 5 a.m. on January 5, 2026.

Muan Airport is one of the most chronically unprofitable airports among the 14 nationwide. According to Korea Airports Corporation data, Muan Airport recorded a net loss of 19.5 billion won last year, the worst in the country. It has posted annual losses of around 20 billion won for five consecutive years since 2020. Yeosu Airport (16.4 billion won loss) and Gwangju Airport (6.8 billion won loss) are in a similar situation. In contrast, Gimhae, Jeju, and Gimpo airports each posted profits in the 40 billion won range.

With local air travel demand limited and the need for increased safety and facility improvement budgets, analysts say the government is bound to be cautious in deciding when to reopen the airport.

Previously, the city of Gwangju proposed temporarily using Gwangju Airport for international flights, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport rejected the idea in August, stating, "In principle, non-scheduled flights are prohibited except for international sporting events or special occasions." Although Gwangju Airport's runway (2.8 km) is the same length as Muan's and can accommodate short-haul routes, the government has maintained its position, citing safety and budget concerns.

Bereaved Families: "All We Want Is the Truth"

On January 18th, 1,229 pink ribbons expressing condolences were hung on the metal fence near the site of the Muan Jeju Air disaster. Photo by Song Bohyun

The bereaved families of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan Airport called on the government on November 1 to uncover the truth and punish those responsible.

The 12·29 Muan Airport Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster Bereaved Families Association held a "300-Day Rally for Truth" in front of the War Memorial of Korea near the presidential office in Yongsan, marking the 308th day since the disaster.

They stated, "The investigation is being conducted by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which could be one of the parties responsible for the disaster, raising questions about the independence and fairness of the process." They demanded, "Revise the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Act to make the investigation board independent from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport." They also called for "the disclosure of all materials collected by the investigation board to the bereaved families."

The bereaved families pointed out that the government's slow investigation and lack of information disclosure are fueling distrust. Kim Yoojin, head of the Bereaved Families Association, said, "The black box has not been released, and all investigation records are sealed. The government and the National Assembly keep repeating that the investigation is ongoing," adding, "We are not seeking compensation or special treatment. All we want is the truth."

Jeollanam-do and Gwangju City: "Safety First... Discussing Supplementary Measures"

On the 29th, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway while landing at Muan International Airport, causing a fire that resulted in the deaths of most passengers. The wreckage of the aircraft involved in the accident is placed on the runway at Muan International Airport, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Jeollanam-do has not issued a separate stance on the temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport, prioritizing the identification of the cause of the accident and ensuring safety.

An official from Jeollanam-do said, "We do not have a provincial position on this matter," adding, "Hasn't the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport already concluded that it would be difficult?" He continued, "Since the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has promised the bereaved families a re-investigation of the cause, it is difficult to discuss reopening until this is resolved. Safety is the top priority."

He added, "We are aware of the difficulties faced by the travel industry and the local community, and we are in ongoing communication with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport." Jeollanam-do has formed a dedicated task force to implement supplementary measures to strengthen facility safety.

Gwangju City stated that it has repeatedly requested discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the temporary operation of international flights, but the ministry has maintained its refusal.

An official from Gwangju City said, "We have applied for international flights at Gwangju Airport and continued discussions, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport still refuses." He added, "Once the investigation results are released at the end of the year, the schedule may be determined in consultation with the bereaved families. The city is monitoring the situation and considering practical measures, such as reapplying for international flights."

He also stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is conducting a study on economic revitalization measures for affected areas such as Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, and based on the results, plans to prepare support measures for the tourism industry." The study began in June and is scheduled to be completed by December 12.

Meanwhile, at the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on October 29, Lee Seungyeol, head of the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, announced, "We plan to release an interim report on the Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster by the end of December," adding, "We will hold a public hearing and release the CVR (cockpit voice recorder) and FDR (flight data recorder) materials to enhance transparency."