The construction project for the new Jeju International Airport in Seongsan-eup has been officially announced, marking the end of a nine-year debate over its location. The new airport will be built on a site that is 5.51 million square meters, which is 50% larger than the existing Jeju International Airport, and will include runways and terminals. In light of increasing air travel demand, a second-phase expansion will also be considered in the future. Once the new airport opens, the budget for the current Jeju International Airport, which is nearing its capacity, will total 5.45 trillion won, and it is expected that 1.6 million passengers will travel annually once the first phase is completed. If the expansion reaches the second phase, this number could increase to 20 million. However, there are still many challenges ahead, with the most significant being the environmental impact assessment. For a long time, environmental groups in Jeju have raised concerns about the construction, emphasizing that not only does the area have high conservation value due to the presence of rare species, but the potential distribution of surrounding lava caves must also be thoroughly examined.

It is certainly not something that should be done. Jeju should no longer be excavated. It is a given that it must remain an island. The government should not pre-determine answers such as the start of construction and should engage in thorough discussions with the residents. Additionally, a minimum construction period of five years is needed, and considerable challenges are expected before the airport is completed.

논란 속 윤곽 드러낸 제주 2공항 사업…5조원 투입한다는데 '산 넘어 산'｜지금 이 뉴스

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