Politics · Other · 17 hrs ago
Gyeonggi Province restarts study of proposed international airport
Gyeonggi Province has restarted a study of possible sites for a new airport in South Korea.
The study examines locations in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and Icheon, in the province’s south.
It was paused after questions were raised about the fairness of a contract, but a provincial audit found no legal violations.
Governor Chu Mi-ae says the airport could serve demand for air freight from semiconductor and other advanced industries, and help prepare for possible crowding at Incheon Airport.
Suwon supports the proposal, partly because it links the airport to plans to move a military air base.
Hwaseong opposes the plan, citing local authority, protected wetlands and bird habitats, and concerns about noise and bird strikes.
The study is due to finish by the end of February, after which the province says it will take further steps toward seeking inclusion in the national airport development plan; restarting the study does not mean the airport has been approved.
Gyeonggi Province has restarted a study comparing potential sites for a proposed international airport in southern Gyeonggi.
The study was halted in December 2025 after concerns were raised about the fairness of its contract, but a provincial audit found no legal violations.
Governor Choo Mi-ae says the airport could serve demand for air freight from advanced industries, including semiconductors, and help prepare for possible airport capacity constraints.
Suwon supports the study, while Hwaseong opposes the project, citing local authority and environmental concerns.
The study’s restart does not mean the airport has been approved; the province aims to have the project included in a national airport development plan.
- Who
- Gyeonggi Province, led by Governor Choo Mi-ae, restarted the study. Suwon supports the project, while Hwaseong opposes it.
- What
- A study assessing three potential sites for a proposed international airport has resumed.
- When
- The study restarted in October 2026 and is due to finish by the end of February.
- Where
- The proposed sites are in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and Icheon, in southern Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The province says the airport could serve demand for air freight from advanced industries and address possible capacity constraints at the region’s airports.
Suwon City
Hwaseong City
Purpose
Suwon City
Suwon supports the airport and says it could help move high-value products such as semiconductors.
Hwaseong City
Hwaseong opposes the province taking the lead, arguing the national government should first review the project.
Potential effects
Suwon City
Suwon says it could use an estimated 15 trillion won from selling the military airport site to fund the proposed airport.
Hwaseong City
Hwaseong warns that construction at the Hwaseong Lake reclamation site could damage wetlands and bird habitats and add to noise burdens in the Maehyang-ri area.
Gyeonggi Province commissioned a nine-month study of the advantages and disadvantages of three potential airport sites.
Concerns about the contract’s fairness were raised after a company headed by an adviser involved in the airport promotion project won the contract.
The study was suspended.
A provincial audit found no legal violations in the study’s commissioning and contracting process.
Gyeonggi Province restarted the study, which is due to finish by the end of February.
- Potential sites
- Hwaseong Lake reclamation land; Seotan-myeon, Pyeongtaek; Moga-myeon, Icheon
- Study budget
- 238 million won in provincial funds
- Study deadline
- End of February
- Suwon’s estimated airport-site sale proceeds
- 15 trillion won
- National planning goal
- Inclusion in the 7th National Airport Development Comprehensive Plan
1 source
What people are saying
It makes no sense that Gyeonggi Province, which produces the most semiconductors and has sufficient demand for advanced air cargo, does not have an airport.
If Incheon Airport reaches capacity in 2035, Gyeonggi Province needs its own preparations.
For companies, transport time to Incheon is considerable, and logistics costs are high when exporting high-value products such as semiconductors.
If an airport is built on the Hwaseong Lake reclamation site, wetlands and bird habitats that should be passed on to future generations could be destroyed.