Table of Contents
- Saemangeum International Airport Halted by Court Ruling
- Key Reasons Identified by the Court
- Lawsuit and Citizens’ Group Activities
- Project Scale and Preconditions
- Political Context and Local Reactions
- Impact of the Ruling and Outlook
- Conclusion: Need to Reestablish Balance Between Development and Environment, Safety
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Saemangeum International Airport Halted by Court Ruling
On September 11, 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the basic plan for Saemangeum International Airport announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should be canceled.
This decision is a significant issue imposing restrictions on a major national project representing development in the Jeonbuk region, bringing environmental and aviation safety concerns to the forefront in addition to political and economic feasibility.
This ruling is expected to have a substantial impact on the future progression of the project.
Key Reasons Identified by the Court
The court pointed out several critical problems in the process of constructing Saemangeum International Airport.
First, there was a lack of reliability in the economic analysis. The cost-benefit (B/C) analysis submitted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport did not undergo sufficient verification, and forecasting over one million annual passengers was deemed overly optimistic. Furthermore, there were criticisms regarding political pressure as the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study conducted in 2019 lacked justification and skipped crucial procedures.
Secondly, deficiencies in environmental and safety reviews were highlighted as issues. The ecological value of the Sura mudflat, where the airport is to be built, was not adequately assessed, and the impacts on endangered species and migratory bird habitats were not sufficiently accounted for. Most notably, despite studies showing that the risk of bird strikes was hundreds of times greater than at Muan Airport, such factors were not considered, raising serious concerns.
These issues have emerged as significant points of contention in the push for Saemangeum International Airport.
Lawsuit and Citizens’ Group Activities
Recently, a class action lawsuit involving 1,297 citizens and civic groups was initiated regarding the Saemangeum International Airport. They claimed that the Saemangeum area is an ecologically significant location inhabited by 59 endangered species such as the black-faced spoonbill and sandpipers, as well as 240,000 migratory birds, asserting that the construction of the new airport would destroy the ecosystem and pose risks of aviation safety.
The court recognized the standing of three residents among the plaintiffs who were potentially affected by noise and proceeded to hear the case. Ultimately, the court largely accepted the plaintiffs' arguments regarding the infringement of environmental rights and safety risks, resulting in a favorable ruling for them. This ruling is evaluated as a significant outcome that prioritizes ecological protection and the safety of local residents.
Project Scale and Preconditions
Saemangeum International Airport is planned as a large-scale project utilizing 3.4 million square meters of land in the Saemangeum area, aiming for completion by 2028, including runways and passenger and cargo terminals. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the basic plan for the construction of Saemangeum International Airport on June 30, 2022, with a total project cost of 807.7 billion won.
However, given that the population of Jeonbuk is only 1.8 million and considering the operational efficiency of airlines, many believe maintaining international routes will be virtually impossible. Experts warn that even if the airport is completed, it could become an 'unprofitable airport.' Such analyses by experts further highlight uncertainties regarding the operation of Saemangeum International Airport in the future.
Political Context and Local Reactions
Saemangeum International Airport has appeared multiple times as a key promise in recent general elections and presidential elections. The decision to exempt the feasibility study has been criticized as targeting the voting sentiments of local residents, leading to ongoing political controversy.
Reactions immediately following the ruling were mixed. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport disclosed plans to appeal, firmly establishing its intention to continue advancing the project. In contrast, the society and political circles in Jeonbuk were engulfed in shock, with growing concerns over the impact on the local economy as an important infrastructure for the Saemangeum development was shaken.
In contrast, environmental and civic groups welcomed the ruling. They noted that it "revealed the limitations of development projects forced through political logic" and provided a positive interpretation. This situation further accentuates the conflict between local economic issues and environmental concerns.
Impact of the Ruling and Outlook
This ruling is considered an important precedent, signifying that key national projects beyond the issues of specific regional airports must adhere to stricter procedural and environmental standards. Although possible appeals may be made to the appeals court and the Supreme Court, the mere remedy or enhancement of the basic plan may find it challenging to gain legitimacy given the cancellation decision.
Moreover, if the airport construction is canceled or reduced, there may be a need to reevaluate the entire development strategy that includes the Saemangeum New Port, industrial complexes, and tourism sites. Experts predict that this incident will strengthen the need for financial soundness, environmental protection, and safety assurance as essential criteria in the promotion of large-scale development projects. This will require careful consideration in advancing future national projects.
Conclusion: Need to Reestablish Balance Between Development and Environment, Safety
The ruling canceling the basic plan for Saemangeum International Airport is not merely a halt to a project. It raises critical questions about how Korean society will achieve harmony among economic viability, environmental considerations, and safety in future national projects.
As seen in the bird strike incidents at Muan Airport, neglecting safety issues in development can ultimately waste taxpayer money and lead to social costs. Therefore, this ruling will serve as an important lesson that must be considered in pursuing similar projects in the future. Through such cases, we have the opportunity to make better policy decisions.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the reason the Seoul Administrative Court canceled the basic plan for Saemangeum International Airport?
The court canceled the basic plan due to a lack of reliability in the economic analysis and deficiencies in environmental and safety reviews.
On September 11, 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court canceled the basic plan for Saemangeum International Airport. The court found that the economic analysis had not been adequately verified and that passenger forecasts were overly optimistic. Furthermore, it pointed out political pressure regarding the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study, which lacked procedural legitimacy. In terms of the environment, it noted that the ecosystem of the Sura mudflat and the protection of endangered species and migratory bird habitats were insufficiently addressed, while the aviation safety risks from bird strikes were also severely neglected.
Q. What are the main contents of the group lawsuit and ruling regarding the Saemangeum International Airport project?
Civic groups and residents raised concerns about ecological destruction and safety risks, leading to a lawsuit, and the court recognized the rights of some plaintiffs.
A class action lawsuit involving 1,297 citizens and civic groups emphasized that the Saemangeum area is an important ecological region inhabited by 59 endangered species and 240,000 migratory birds. The plaintiffs asserted that the construction of the new airport would lead to ecological destruction and pose threats to aviation safety. The court recognized the standing of some residents concerned about noise, allowing the case to proceed, and ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, acknowledging violations of environmental rights and safety risks. This verdict is regarded as a meaningful result that enhances ecological protection and the safety of local residents.
Q. What are the experts' concerns regarding the scale and economic viability of the Saemangeum International Airport project?
Large-scale project of 3.4 million square meters raises concerns of becoming an unprofitable airport due to insufficient population and air traffic demand.
Saemangeum International Airport is expected to be constructed on a large scale of 3.4 million square meters, including runways and terminals, aiming for completion by 2028, with a project cost of 807.7 billion won. However, due to Jeonbuk's relatively small population of only 1.8 million, there are forecasts that operating international routes will be practically difficult. Experts warn that a lack of passenger numbers could lead the airport to become financially unprofitable. This deepens the uncertainty over the project's economic viability.
Q. How have the political, local community, and environmental groups reacted to this ruling?
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to appeal, local communities express concern, while environmental groups show support.
Following the court ruling, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expressed its intention to appeal and continue pursuing the project. Meanwhile, the local community and political circles in Jeonbuk voiced concerns about the impact on the local economy as the core infrastructure for Saemangeum development was shaken. Conversely, environmental and civic groups welcomed the ruling, stating that it exposed the limits of development forced under political pressure. This outcome further highlights the conflict between economic development and environmental protection.
Q. What impact does the court's cancellation of the Saemangeum International Airport project have on future national projects?
It sets a precedent for stricter procedural and environmental standards, emphasizing careful consideration in promoting large-scale projects.
This ruling leaves a precedent that key national projects must adhere to strict procedural transparency and comply with environmental and safety standards. With the cancellation of the basic plan, simple adjustments may struggle to attain legitimacy. Should the airport construction be canceled, reevaluation of associated developments like new ports and industrial complexes will become unavoidable. Experts emphasize that this incident will enhance the necessity for financial soundness, environmental protection, and safety assurance as essential criteria in advancing large projects, necessitating a more cautious approach.
Q. What lessons and significance does the Saemangeum International Airport ruling provide for our society?
It confirms the necessity to balance economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, and safety while preventing waste of taxpayer money.
This ruling poses a significant question not just about a project halt, but about how to harmonize economic viability, environmental protection, and aviation safety when pursuing national projects. As seen in the bird strike incidents at Muan Airport, neglecting safety concerns can lead to waste of taxpayer money and increased social costs. Therefore, this case serves as a wake-up call to ensure that these factors are taken into account in future large-scale development projects, laying a groundwork for better policy decisions.
