[Exclusive] "'Eumssu' and orchards are full of food"… All but one airport are being 'lured by flocks of birds'

Analysis of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Data on 'Bird-Attracting Facilities' Near Airports
All 12 Facilities Near Muan Airport Classified as 'Special Management Targets'
Yangyang Also at Serious Risk, Surrounded by Orchards
A Total of 115 Bird-Attracting Facilities Around 15 Airports Nationwide
37 Facilities Designated as High-Risk 'Special Management Targets'
Park Yong-gap Calls for Legal Amendments to Relocate 'Bird-Attracting Facilities'

It has been confirmed that all 12 bird-attracting facilities near Muan International Airport, where the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster occurred, are classified as ‘special management targets’ with a high risk of bird strikes. Special management targets require particularly vigilant monitoring compared to general management, yet the government has been negligent in operating the airport. Gangwon-do Yangyang International Airport is in a similarly dangerous situation as Muan Airport. Within a 3km radius of Yangyang Airport, there are 15 orchards densely clustered. Among them, 11 are designated as special management targets, making it urgent to establish bird strike prevention measures.

According to the ‘Status of Bird-Attracting Facilities by Airport’ (as of 2024) received by the office of Park Yong-gap, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 15th, there are 115 bird-attracting facilities left unattended around 15 domestic airports. However, there is no way to regulate these bird-attracting facilities, leaving authorities powerless. Experts point out that a legal foundation must be established to manage these facilities to prevent a second disaster.

Special Management Bird-Attracting Facilities Scattered Across Airports Nationwide

Facilities that unintentionally attract birds with food, such as food processing plants, food waste treatment sites, and orchards near airports, or bird protection areas where migratory birds pass through, are classified as ‘bird-attracting facilities.’ Of the 115 nationwide, 96 are located within a 3km radius centered on airports. There are 19 facilities located within 3 to 8km. The only airport without nearby bird-attracting facilities is Jeju Airport.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport classifies these facilities into ‘general management targets’ (78) and ‘special management targets’ (37) based on the risk of bird strikes. According to the ‘Standards for Reducing the Risk of Collisions with Birds and Other Wildlife’ (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport notice), factors such as facility density, potential for expansion, degree of bird attraction due to food provision, exposure of food, and the size of birds entering the airport are investigated. If the risk is deemed high, the facility is designated as a special management target. On-site inspections are conducted at least once every six months and updated accordingly. General management targets are inspected at least once a year.

According to these standards, airports with a high risk of bird strikes are scattered nationwide, in addition to Muan and Yangyang Airports. There are six bird-attracting facilities around Incheon Airport. Among them, two orchards and Baegundo Urban Nature Park (a wildlife protection area) are classified as special management targets.

Relocation Orders and Fines Legislation Must Pass

Nevertheless, the government has yet to establish effective measures. Representative Park Yong-gap pointed out, "Currently, the Airport Facilities Act prohibits the installation of facilities that may attract birds near airports," but added, "However, there is no legal basis for sanctions, compensation, or relocation orders, so the problem remains unresolved."

Park stated, "Accordingly, I have proposed an amendment to the Airport Facilities Act that would allow the government and local governments to issue relocation orders, expropriate land, provide compensation, and impose fines on facilities that may attract birds."

Meanwhile, at the ‘12.29 Passenger Plane Disaster Related Status Report’ held at the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee plenary session on the 14th, Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, mentioned that "When many flights operate, manpower is heavily deployed regardless of birds, but when flight numbers are low, manpower is reduced even if there are many birds," highlighting the shortage of bird deterrence personnel at Muan Airport.

Minister Park added, "We will establish regulations to prioritize investment based on bird frequency and risk," and "We take the bird-related issues seriously and will allocate more budget to deploy advanced equipment and personnel."

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