Wherever You Go on Ulleungdo, United Calls for "Ulleung Airport Runway Extension"... Delayed Opening Raises Concerns

Residents Stage Surprise Protest at Briefing Session
Claim "Safety Cannot Be Guaranteed with a 1,200-Meter Runway"
Ministry of Land and Project Team Counter: "No Safety Issues"
Extension Would Mean "Starting Over from Scratch"
Tight Timeline for 2028 Opening... "Willing to Work 24 Hours a Day"

On November 6, at the site office near Ulleung Airport in Sadong-ri, Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, a briefing session for reporters hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was quietly underway when it suddenly erupted into commotion. Some residents entered the venue, demanding time to ask questions and took the microphone, insisting, "We must push for a 300-meter runway extension (from 1,200 meters to 1,500 meters) even now." Although on-site officials tried to dissuade them, tensions did not subside easily. Outside the office, dozens of people held pickets and chanted slogans calling for the runway extension.

Residents: "A 1,200-meter runway is unsafe"... United voices from public and private sectors

Ulleung Airport Construction Site. Photo by O Yu-gyo.

This 'surprise protest' illustrates the current atmosphere on Ulleungdo. Banners with phrases such as "Extend the runway" and "Guarantee the right to life" are hung throughout the island. Banners are displayed not only around the airport but also at major points like Nari Basin, a popular tourist destination. Whether on buses or in restaurants, many people on Ulleungdo bring up the necessity of extending the runway. Hardline residents are leading a nationwide petition for the extension, and recently, the "Public-Private Council for the Safe Construction of Ulleung Airport," which includes the county mayor and county council, was launched.

One resident who interrupted the briefing argued, "The ATR72-600, which is scheduled to operate at Ulleung Airport, has an optimal takeoff and landing distance of 1,315 meters, and the Board of Audit and Inspection also pointed out the need to extend the runway. We must pursue a 300-meter extension even now." Nam Han-gwon, the mayor of Ulleung County, who was also present, added, "For our residents, Ulleung Airport is more than just a means of transportation; it is a lifeline. There is a strong perception that the current design of 1,200 meters is unsafe. If conditions allow, a 300-meter extension toward the sea is necessary."

The anxiety about the airport surfaced after last year’s Muan Airport incident. Public concern has intensified since the Board of Audit and Inspection’s report in September. The report on Ulleung Airport stated, "When the runway is wet, the braking distance increases, making landing difficult," and "in a survey of 20 pilots, 19 (95%) responded that a runway extension is necessary for safe operation."

Ministry of Land: "1,200 meters is sufficient... No operational issues"

However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ulleung Airport Construction Project Team have effectively ruled out a runway extension, stating that the residents’ claims and the Board of Audit and Inspection’s findings are inaccurate. The ministry explained, "The appropriate runway length of 1,315 meters for the ATR72-600 is based on the aircraft being fully fueled and at maximum weight," adding, "Airlines typically adjust operations by carrying only the necessary amount of fuel and configuring seats to 68 (according to Island Air), so flights will be operated according to actual conditions." They further stated, "Based on research and confirmation with the airline, we have verified that operations without weight restrictions are possible even with a 1,200-meter runway." The ministry’s position is to complete the airport as planned and review the need for modifications later, considering demand and weather conditions.

In reality, extending the runway by 300 meters would increase the construction period by three years and add over 1 trillion won to the project cost. It is not simply a matter of lengthening the runway. According to airport installation regulations, the width of the safety area, or "landing strip," on both sides of the runway would have to be significantly expanded from the current 150 meters to 280 meters. In addition, all 30 caissons, each weighing 16,000 tons and already installed, would need to be removed and repositioned, and the project would have to extend further into offshore waters with depths reaching up to 60 meters. A project team official noted, "There is no precedent worldwide for constructing an airport foundation at a depth of 60 meters," and added, "Environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, and a complete redesign would be required, making it impossible to guarantee completion even after 2030."

The conflict is unlikely to subside soon, as public opinion overwhelmingly favors the runway extension. Jeong Seokdu, head of the Blue Ulleung Dokdo Preservation Association and a leading advocate for the extension, emphasized, "We will use every means and method to achieve our goal." In contrast, the Ministry of Land and the project team believe that providing information about the project could change the atmosphere. A ministry official said, "The lack of communication with residents has contributed to their anxiety. Since July, we have been operating a regular consultative body with North Gyeongsang Province and Ulleung County, and we plan to continue holding briefing sessions for residents."

"Willing to work around the clock for 2028 opening"

Residents protesting outside the on-site briefing hall regarding the extension of Ulleung Airport runway. Photo by Oh Yugyo.

Meanwhile, Ulleung Airport is Korea’s first small island airport construction project, designed to shorten the seven-hour sea journey to a one-hour flight. The construction period spans from 2020 to December 2027, totaling 89 months, with a total project cost of 879.2 billion won. The goal is to open in the first half of 2028. Given the island’s lack of flat land, the construction method involves blocking the sea with 30 massive concrete caissons, each as tall as a 12-story apartment building (28 meters), to build the runway. Eight construction companies, including DL E&C, are participating in the project.

When construction began in 2020, Ulleung Airport was scheduled for completion in 2025. However, with the design changed from a 50-seat to an 80-seat airport, both completion and opening were delayed by two years. As of the end of October, the construction progress rate is 68.7%. The project team explained, "Weather conditions are unpredictable, so the schedule is tight. Starting next year, we will work around the clock on certain processes to ensure the airport opens in 2028 as planned."