Military Facility Protection Zones Lifted or Eased in Gimpo, Ganghwa and Other Areas, Covering Area 1.4 Times the Size of Yeouido

The Ministry of National Defense announced on September 29 that it will lift or ease military facility protection zones covering approximately 4 million square meters (about 1.2 million pyeong) in areas including Gimpo City and Ganghwa County to enhance public rights and revitalize local communities. This area is about 1.4 times the size of Yeouido.

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The areas subject to this adjustment are as follows: ▲ (Lifting of restricted protection zones) 680,000 square meters in two locations in Gimpo City and Ganghwa County ▲ (Easing from controlled protection zone to restricted protection zone) 23,000 square meters in Ganghwa County ▲ (Lifting or easing of flight safety zones) 3,277,000 square meters in seven locations, including Gangnam, Gangdong, Gwangjin, Songpa, and Jungnang districts in Seoul, as well as Seongnam and Yongin cities in Gyeonggi Province, totaling nine locations.

The area in Gimpo City that has been removed from the restricted protection zone is already surrounded by residential settlements due to the ‘Geolpo District 3’ housing development project. The zone was lifted because it was determined that there would be no operational issues. Similarly, the restricted protection zone in Ganghwa County, Incheon, was lifted to promote tourism development around the Dolmen Park area and to ensure favorable conditions for developing the Ganghwa Hajeom Industrial Complex.

As for the areas where the flight safety zone has been lifted or eased, these include parts that were not previously adjusted when the angle of the eastern runway at the Seoul Base (K-16) was changed in September 2013 and the flight safety zone was lifted at that time. The Ministry of National Defense expects that this measure will help revitalize urban redevelopment projects in the affected areas.

An official from the Ministry of National Defense stated, "We will continue to rationally adjust protection zones to improve residents' lives and foster development together with the local community."

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