'Tensions Rise Between North and South' Strengthening Support for West Sea 5 Islands... 141.9 Billion Won Invested Including Increased Living Support Allowance

Incheon City Advances 77 Projects Including Baengnyeong Airport Hinterland Development Feasibility Study

Incheon City recently announced plans to strengthen support to improve the unstable living conditions of residents on the West Sea Five Islands due to escalating military tensions between the North and South.

The city revealed on the 2nd that a total of 141.9 billion KRW will be invested in 77 projects this year to improve living conditions on the West Sea Five Islands, including raising residents' living support funds and conducting feasibility studies for the development of the land behind Baengnyeong Airport. This represents an increase of 26.7 billion KRW compared to last year's 115.2 billion KRW allocated for 70 projects.

With the Baengnyeong Airport construction project (implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), which will dramatically improve accessibility to the West Sea Five Islands, now officially underway with the commencement of the basic plan establishment study, the city has decided to focus on developing the surrounding areas of Baengnyeong Airport as its own project. Once the feasibility study for the development of the land behind Baengnyeong Airport is completed through this year's study, the city plans to initiate airport economic zone development projects such as tourism, accommodation, and leisure simultaneously with the airport's opening.

The Baengnyeong Airport construction project is scheduled to begin construction next year with a target opening in 2029. However, Incheon City is currently negotiating with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to advance the opening to 2027, two years earlier.

The living support fund for residents of the West Sea Five Islands has secured a total of 8.35 billion KRW, including 6.68 billion KRW in national funds. Accordingly, residents who have lived on the West Sea Five Islands for more than 10 years will receive 160,000 KRW per month, an increase of 10,000 KRW from the previous 150,000 KRW, while those who have lived there for more than six months but less than 10 years will receive 100,000 KRW per month, up 20,000 KRW from the previous 80,000 KRW. The living support fund was established under the "West Sea Five Islands Support Special Act," enacted after North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010, to improve the living conditions of residents on Baengnyeongdo, Yeonpyeongdo, Soyeonpyeongdo, Daecheongdo, and Socheongdo.

Additionally, the budget for the renovation of aging houses, aimed at improving the residential environment of homes over 20 years old, has been increased from 260 million KRW last year to a total of 520 million KRW. This year, 20 houses will receive support, double the number supported last year.

In October last year, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited Daeyeonpyeongdo Island in relation to the North Korean shelling, inspected the security situation at the Yeonpyeong Peace Observatory, and emphasized the expansion of support for residents.
[Photo by Incheon City]

The city will also accelerate efforts to deploy large passenger ships on the Incheon-Baengnyeong route, a long-standing wish of the West Sea Five Islands residents. The company operating a 2,000-ton large roll-on/roll-off ferry on the Incheon-Baengnyeong route ceased operations in November 2022 due to financial difficulties and filed for closure in March this year.

Ongjin County in Incheon selected a preferred bidder for operating a large passenger ship through a public contest in August, but disagreements over the ship operation plan led to the cancellation of the preferred negotiation status. Incheon City and Ongjin County plan to review the public contest conditions, including support for operating deficits and easing participation criteria, to expedite the deployment of large passenger ships on the Incheon-Baengnyeong route.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to proceed with the establishment of the "2nd Comprehensive Development Plan for the West Sea Five Islands (2026-2035)" this year. This comprehensive development plan is based on the "West Sea Five Islands Support Special Act," enacted after North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010 to improve the living conditions of residents on the West Sea Five Islands. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will formulate a comprehensive support plan containing mid- to long-term development strategies by central government departments.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Even amid the tense situation between the North and South, we will strengthen support for the residents who steadfastly protect the West Sea Five Islands. In particular, we will strive to ensure that new budget projects and residents' long-standing wishes are evenly reflected in the comprehensive development plan study for the West Sea Five Islands, which will commence this year."

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