Defense ministry gives nod to Suwon airbase relocation plan

The Ministry of National Defense has finally approved a plan to relocate a major air base south of Seoul – a project that the city of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province has long wanted.

"We have given final approval for the Suwon government`s request after a comprehensive review of the level of noise damage and operational aspects" the ministry said Thursday. In an evaluation conducted by the ministry last month, Suwon`s proposal was declared "appropriate," winning 800 points from a total of 1,000.

With the approval, the Suwon Air Base is now eligible for relocation. The ministry will soon begin a process for selecting candidate sites. A final site will be determined through an application process involving administrative districts whose residents decide to attract the new base through a referendum.

According to a ministry official, the ministry concluded that there would be no problem if a relocation site is determined in accordance with the requirements stipulated by law from the military operational perspectives. The official added that the ministry will collect public opinion through continuous public hearings in order to minimize social conflicts surround the planned relocation.

In March last year, Suwon had proposed that it would raise 4.5 trillion won (4.1 billion U.S. dollars) to help foot the relocation bill by selling 43.5 percent of the land while keeping the rest for a public park and urban infrastructure.

bibulus@donga.com