Question on timing of Muan Airport reopening... MOLIT says "first half of the year is possible"
Full-fledged debate on alternatives as closure drags on more than a year after the crash
Kang Gijeong publicly urges, "We can implement immediately if the President makes up his mind"
More than a year after the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane crash, President Lee Jaemyung called for swift discussions on reopening Muan International Airport, which has remained closed, saying, "We cannot drag this out indefinitely." On the same day, Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, proposed an alternative by requesting the temporary opening of international routes at Gwangju Airport.
President Lee Jaemyung listens to remarks from participants at the Expanded National Tourism Strategy Meeting held at the Blue House on the 25th. Yonhap News
At the Expanded National Tourism Strategy Meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae the previous day, when Jung Jaeyoung, CEO of Gwangju Tourism Organization, remarked that "it has been over a year since Muan International Airport was closed, and the local tourism industry is on the verge of collapse," President Lee instructed officials to expedite discussions on reopening, on the premise of consultations with the bereaved families.
After the passenger plane crash in December 2024, Muan Airport was supposed to reopen once the aftermath of the accident had been dealt with. However, the closure has continued because the investigation into the cause of the accident has not been completed. As complaints persist over the inconvenience faced by residents of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province in using international flights, there are growing calls not only for the swift reopening of Muan Airport but also for temporarily operating international routes out of Gwangju Airport.
President Lee asked Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yundeok, "Have you ever reviewed the idea of temporarily using Gwangju Airport for international flights until Muan Airport is reopened?" Minister Kim replied, "We are reviewing it, but Gwangju Airport is not an international airport, so efforts and preparations are needed to change the system." In response, President Lee said, "We will need to put systems in place, and there will likely be various issues," but stressed, "The most important thing is to reopen Muan Airport as quickly as possible."
When President Lee then asked, "When will we be able to reopen Muan Airport? Are you extending the closure to preserve the site for the accident investigation?" Minister Kim answered, "If we can wrap up that issue properly, we can proceed immediately in the first half of this year."
President Lee said, "I do not think the bereaved families (of the plane crash) will strongly oppose reopening as long as the accident site is properly preserved and the records are accurately kept," and added, "Make sure to resume (the discussions) as quickly as possible. We cannot drag this out indefinitely. Please conduct thorough consultations."
Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, met with reporters in the city hall press room on the afternoon of the 24th to explain the largest-ever new hiring plan in preparation for the opening of Metro Line 2.
On the same day, Mayor Kang Gijeong formally requested the temporary opening of international routes at Gwangju Airport through his Facebook page. Mayor Kang explained, "Gwangju Airport previously handled international routes, so there are no issues with the runway, and it will not take long to install customs and immigration offices," adding, "Since staff from Muan Airport are working on temporary assignment, there will be no problem in terms of staffing."
He went on to say, "When KTX service opens to Muan Airport, the civilian airport will be relocated there, and the international routes temporarily used at Gwangju Airport will be immediately restored to Muan Airport once it reopens," stressing, "We can move forward right away if the President simply makes up his mind."
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