Campaign for Sacheon Airport’s Elevation to International Status Launched at the 4th Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival

Calling for the Expansion and Upgrade of Sacheon Airport to International Status
Urging Inclusion in the 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan

On November 18, Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province announced that it had launched a campaign at the 4th Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival, held at the Chukdongmyeon Sports Town, to urge the inclusion of Sacheon Airport’s expansion and its elevation to international airport status in the 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan.

The Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival is a representative local event established to commemorate the historical background of the collective relocation of residents from Dongchi, Wondong, Hadong, and Haguma villages in Chukdongmyeon due to the expansion of Sacheon Airfield and the Air Force base in 1990. After the harvest, the event provides a venue for both relocated residents and existing locals to gather and foster unity. Each year, cultural performances and community participation events are held, reinforcing the meaning of community.

At the 4th Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival, a campaign was held to promote the elevation of Sacheon International Airport.

During the event, numerous citizens-including local residents, social organizations, and officials from Chukdongmyeon institutions and groups-joined forces to raise awareness about the necessity of expanding Sacheon Airport and elevating it to international airport status, thereby broadening public consensus. In particular, it was emphasized that, with the opening of the Korea Aerospace Administration and the rapid growth of the aerospace industry, Sacheon is emerging as a hub for aerospace. Therefore, upgrading to international airport status would not only strengthen national competitiveness but also greatly contribute to balanced regional development.

Officials from the Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival asserted that the 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan should include the elevation of Sacheon Airport to international status and the expansion of its facilities. They highlighted various expected benefits, such as revitalizing tourism along the southern coast, expanding global logistics cooperation, and enhancing the competitiveness of the aerospace industry.

A Sacheon City official stated, "Sacheon Airport must become the gateway airport connecting the center of Korea’s aerospace industry with the world," adding, "Upgrading to international airport status holds significant meaning not only for balanced regional development but also for securing national industrial competitiveness."

Meanwhile, marking its fourth year, the Chukdongmyeon Mannalje Festival was held as an even more meaningful event by reaffirming the community spirit built together by relocated and local residents, with the addition of the campaign for Sacheon Airport’s elevation to international airport status.

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