Gangneung City to Significantly Reduce Military Noise Compensation... Integrated Applications Begin on the 12th

Gangneung City Announces 2026 Military Noise Compensation Application Guide
Gangneung Military Noise Compensation Recipients Reduced from 44,000 to 3,000
Compensation Areas Reduced Due to Suspension of Air Base Operations
Zone 1 Compensated at Zone 3 Level; Zones 2 and 3 Excluded from Compensation

Due to the change in aircraft types at the Air Force 18th Fighter Wing Airfield and the suspension of operations caused by runway construction, the criteria and areas eligible for military noise damage compensation in 2026 will be changed.

Change of Compensation Payment Areas for Military Noise Damage in 2026. Provided by Gangneung City

Previously, residents living within the military noise countermeasure zones received monthly compensation of up to 60,000 won in Zone 1, 45,000 won in Zone 2, and 30,000 won in Zone 3 per person. However, with this adjustment, the previous Zone 1 will now be compensated at the same level as Zone 3, and those in Zones 2 and 3 will be excluded from compensation.

The number of compensation recipients, which stood at 44,000 from 2022 to 2025, will be reduced to about 3,000 from 2026. Accordingly, separate application centers at towns, districts, and apartment complexes will not be operated. Instead, the Military Noise Compensation Support Center located in Naegok-dong will handle integrated applications and provide guidance from January 12 to February 27, 2026.

Eligible applicants for 2026 compensation include: ▲ residents (including foreigners) who had their resident registration and actually lived in Zone 1 (Wolhopyeong-dong, Hak-dong, Cheongnyang-dong, Byeongsan-dong, and Ipam-dong) from January 1 to December 31, 2025; and ▲ residents who lived in the compensation areas prior to the change from November 27, 2020, to December 31, 2024, but did not apply for compensation.

Applicants must bring the required documents, such as identification and a copy of their bank account, and visit the Military Noise Compensation Support Center located on the second floor of the commercial building at Naegok-dong Xi Apartments during the application period. Applications can also be submitted by mail or online.

For online applications, applicants can upload the application form, consent to provide personal information, a copy of their bank account, and any other required documents to the Government24 Military Noise Compensation Application Portal or via the 'Gangneung City Hall Website - Integrated Reservation - Support/Application' section.

Applications for compensation will be reviewed until May, and payments will be made to the applicant's account by the end of August.

The updated compensation areas can be checked on the Military Noise Portal in mid-January. For detailed information on the changes or application guidance, please call the Gangneung City Military Noise Compensation Support Center.

An official from Gangneung City stated, "Once the runway construction and aircraft type change at the Air Force airfield are completed, the Ministry of National Defense will conduct another military noise impact survey. Based on the results, new military noise countermeasure zones will be designated and compensation will be provided. We will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to ensure that the entire process, from compensation claims to payment, proceeds smoothly and without inconvenience to residents."