The governor has announced standards and principles to compensate landowners in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo for the properties needed for the island’s second airport. He stressed that residents who have lived there for generations will be given priority in the process and that the government will provide them land for housing and farming. As Mike Laidman now reports, though, that hasn’t stopped many of those same people from protesting against the decision.
The area for the island’s planned second airport is estimated at 5.8 million square meters.

According to provincial data, 33 percent of the area is owned by (성산) Seongsan area residents, 12 percent by Jeju residents living outside of (성산) Seongsan, and 46.5 percent by non-islanders.

Governor Won Heeryong announced that the amount of compensation will differ according to land usage; either farming, dwelling, or general property usages.

He stressed that residents who have lived there for generations will be given compensation priority.

SYNC
Won Heeryong / Jeju governor
The province is writing up the principles that will guide us in compensating landowners for their property, so this process won’t affect their livelihood. We’re coming up with the best way to do it. We promise to improve living conditions for farmers and others who live in the area.
<씽크:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"생계활동에 지장 없도록 큰 틀의 보상원칙을 세워나가겠습니다. 보다 나은 삶을 영위할 수 있는 최선의 대책을 마련하겠습니다. 공항 예정지 내에서 농사를 짓거나 살고 계시는 주민들이 생업을 유지하고 보다 좋은 조건에서 생활할 수 있도록 하겠습니다."

[slug]
‘Land for houses and farms will be provided’

Area residents own and use about 2 million square meters of land among that planned for new airport use.

The governor promised that the province will secure and provide land for houses and farms for those who will have to move out.

He said his office will make individual plans based on each resident’[slug] specific needs.

SYNC
Won Heeryong / Jeju governor
The province will come up with individual compensation plans after listening to area residents' opinions, but that won't include letting anyone make unreasonable profits.
<씽크:원희룡 제주특별자치도지사>
"형평성에 맞지 않는 부당한 이익을 추구하지 않는다는 공평성 차원에서 저희들은 가급적 개개인의 희망을 취합해서 맞춤형 대책을 제시하겠다는 것입니다."

In front of the provincial office, residents of (온평리) Onpyeong-ri, (성산읍) Seongsan-eup held a rally to protest the airport plan.

They insist that their community will be destroyed and their livelihoods threatened by the planned construction, and that the province is doing nothing for them.

They say that the Won Heeryong administration should withdraw the plans as they were never consulted nor did they agreed to them.

SYNC
Lee Seung-yi / Protester
In the interests of our livelihoods, we’re resolutely opposing the construction plan.
<씽크: 이승이/ 제2공항반대온평리비상대책위원장>
"생존권을 지키기위해서 제2공항 건설 현 계획에 대해서는 결사적으로 반대합니다. 여러분."

[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman

Despite the province having made compensation plans, it has still failed to persuade concerned residents.

Mike Laidman, KCTV