The province recently held public hearings to seek public opinion on the basic plans for the construction project of the island’s second airport.

However, opponents and proponents of the project clashed and the public hearings were closed without result.

Mike Laidman reports.

Jeju Province recently held public hearings to seek opinions on the preliminary plans for the island’s second airport.

[slug] Public hearings held on plans for 2nd airport

It had hoped to give a presentation on how it would move residents living on the planned construction site, and how the new airport would improve the lives of islanders by allowing them to take on some of the operating rights.

[slug] Public hearings blocked by picketers

T2
However, picketers opposing the new airport blocked the public hearings from concluding.

<이펙트>
"처음부터 잘못된 공청회를 그냥 이대로 내버려 둘 수 없습니다."
We can’t just overlook the first public hearings. They shouldn’t be happening in the first place.

Government officials moved in to stop them, but they would not be moved.

[slug] Proponents demand planned hearings to proceed

Proponents of the project demanded that the proceedings go ahead as planned.

<이펙트>
"추진하라, 추진하라, 추진하라"
Push forward with the public hearings!

Eventually, the hearings - originally meant to be two hours long - were cancelled after just 40 minutes.

[slug] Public hearings suspended, Q&A session canceled

The planned one hour Q and A session was also cancelled.

[slug] Proponents: ‘We lost opportunities to voice our opinion.’

Those in favour expressed their frustration, saying that the cancellation robbed them of their opportunity to voice their opinion to the province.

Recording
O Byeong-gwan / Seongsan 2nd Airport Supporting Committee
It’s frustrating that few picketers ruined the public hearing for so many people who came all the way from Seongsan for this important event.
<씽크:오병관/제2공항 성산읍추진위원장>
"오늘 공청회가 있어서 중요한 자리에 성산에서도 많이 왔는데, 와서 보니 또 몇 사람이 단상을 점거해서 완전 무산시켜버리니까 매우 유감으로 생각하고 있습니다."

[slug] Opponents: ‘Public hearings were orchestrated to draw support’

Meanwhile, the picketers say that suspicions over the second airport haven't yet been cleared, and that these public hearings were orchestrated by the province only to draw support for their plans.

Recording
Mun Sang-bin / 2nd Airport Opposing Committee
It has been revealed that the province deliberately neglected the report written by ADP Ingenierie including a viable expansion plan of the current airport. The public hearing is only for the proponents. It is unfair.
<씽크:문상빈/2공항 반대범도민행동>
"검토위에서 확인된 adpi 보고서를 통해서도 현 공항 확장으로도 충분하다는 결론이 나온 보고서가 고의로 누락된 사실이 밝혀졌음에도 불구하고 찬성 일변도의 의견만 듣겠다는 이런 공청회를 연다는 것은 굉장히 부적절하다고 봅니다."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

Another public hearing is planned for next month in Seogwipo, but given how this first hearing progressed, it is unlikely that the second will conclude without issue.

Mike Laidman, KCTV