Residents of Pohang Say "Will Stop by Force" to Defense Ministry Deputy Minister Who Says "Difficult to Halt Helicopter Shooting Drills"

US Apache Helicopter Conducts Firing Training Without Prior Consultation at Susung Shooting Range in Janggi-myeon, Pohang
Mayor Lee Kang-deok Urges Deputy Minister Park Jae-min to Demand Fundamental Measures from the Ministry of National Defense

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] On the afternoon of the 4th, Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang met with Park Jae-min, Deputy Minister of National Defense, who visited Pohang regarding the issue of the Suseong Shooting Range in Janggi-myeon, which arose due to US military Apache helicopter firing, but they parted ways confirming only their differences in position.

The mayor maintained his stance on the closure and relocation of the shooting range that day, while Deputy Minister Park said, "It is practically difficult to negotiate after stopping helicopter firing," and demanded problem resolution through the formation of a civilian-government-military consultative body.

Earlier, about 300 residents holding a rally near the Suseong Shooting Range strongly protested by turning off the microphone amplifier on the stage when Deputy Minister Park visited the site and expressed the practical difficulties of stopping helicopter firing. The meeting was attended by the commander of the 1st Marine Division, the deputy commander of the Marine Corps Headquarters, the US 8th Army Korean deputy commander, and officials from the Ministry of National Defense and military units.

At the meeting with Mayor Lee Gang-deok, Deputy Minister Park Jae-min explained, "Military shooting ranges are absolutely necessary for national security and maintaining the ROK-US alliance, but on the other hand, a lot of efforts are needed to minimize the damage to the residents of the area," adding, "The government is also continuously considering various policies and support such as damage compensation."

He continued, "It is difficult to negotiate after stopping the US military helicopter firing at the Pohang Suseong Shooting Range scheduled for mid-November due to the ROK-US alliance and national security issues," and said, "I hope for cooperation to form a civilian-government-military consultative body and create a forum for dialogue."

In response, Mayor Lee Gang-deok emphasized, "The Ministry of National Defense must come forward with fundamental measures and solve the problem," adding, "For over 60 years, military shooting training has caused physical, mental, and material damage throughout Pohang city and has significantly hindered regional development, including the suspension of large-scale investments."

The mayor also stated, "The US Forces Korea Apache helicopter firing training forcibly conducted in February without prior consultation triggered the long-suppressed alienation and anger of the residents of Janggi-myeon," and countered, "The Ministry of National Defense must stop the US military helicopter firing in mid-November and present a fundamental alternative that guarantees the residents' right to survival."

Before meeting with Mayor Lee, Deputy Minister Park asked for understanding in front of about 300 Janggi-myeon residents holding a rally at the Pohang Suseong Shooting Range, saying, "It is difficult to negotiate after stopping the US military Apache helicopter firing for national security and maintaining the ROK-US alliance, and we will seek solutions with the residents through the formation of a civilian-government-military consultative body."

However, residents including Chairman Cho Hyun-cheok of the opposition countermeasure committee raised their voices, saying, "We absolutely cannot accept the Ministry of National Defense's position," and "We will use all means and methods to physically block helicopter firing in the future."

Meanwhile, since the Suseong Shooting Range was established in 1965 in Janggi-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang City, complaints from local residents due to noise and vibrations caused by various military shooting trainings have continued for a long time. In this situation, residents have been holding large-scale rallies and protests from February to the present due to the US military's Apache helicopter firing conducted without prior consultation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.