The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has finalized the necessary administrative steps to seek public opinion on the basic plan of the island’s second airport construction project. The briefing on its environmental impact assessment has been completed.

The ministry is planning to share its finalized basic plan in early October.

Mike Balfour will tell us future steps and challenges.

[slug] Public opinion work done at ministerial level

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced that it has finalized the necessary administrative steps in seeking public opinion over the island’s second airport. The briefing on environmental impact and basic plans has been completed despite complications due to ongoing residents’ opposition.



After the results of public input over the preliminary report on environmental impact are circulated, a final report will be published next month.

Negotiation between the province and the ministry will continue through to September this year.

The ministry is expected to release its finalized basic plans in October.



Recording
Jeon Jin / Representative, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport
We will be able to publicize the basic plans in October after negotiating with related institutions, the financial ministry and area residents.
<씽크:전진/국토교통부 사무관>
"관계기관 협의, 기재부나 지역 의견도 수렴해야 하고 그런 절차를 거치고 10월에 고시할 예정입니다."

Now, eyes are on Seoul to see how much the island’s requests will be accepted.

[slug] Province sees how much island’s requests are accepted

The province has already conveyed the island's concerns and requests. 25 items are listed, including allowing area residents to take on some of the operating rights.

[slug] Operation rights not included, role limited to dealing with domestic flights

However, the preliminary airport creation plans drafted by outside experts and released last month don’t include the operation rights.

They also limit the role of the new airport to dealing with domestic flights which could spark controversy.

[slug] Governor asks for operational rights to land minister

The governor has recently requested that area residents be given some of the operating rights in a submission to the land minister, (김현미) Kim Hyeon-mi, saying there is a room for the province to convince Seoul.

[slug] Province to persuade presidential office and ministries

The presidential office is involved in decisions on investment in airport facilities and in who will take the operating rights.

But it looks challenging for the province to get approvals from Seoul as the presidential office and relevant ministries have not been favorable to Jeju on such matters.

Recording
Won Hee-ryong / Governor (On July 1st)
The land minister promised to review the island's requests. My office is closely working with decision makers and land ministry.
<씽크:원희룡 지사(지난 1일)>
"진지하게 검토하겠다는 답변을 받았고 앞으로 기본계획을 최종적으로 집행해나갈 책임자들, 국토교통부와 긴밀한 협의를 해 나가겠고.."

Eyes are also on the land ministry as it deals with suspicions raised by groups opposing the new airport creation.

The island has about three months to wait before the release of the finalized basic plans from the land ministry.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Kim Yong-min
[CG] Lee Min-gyu

The provincial office's ability to negotiate and convince Seoul will be tested once again.

Mike Balfour, KCTV