Muan airport committee urges government to set reopening date

The Muan International Airport Revitalization Committee urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Friday to carry out emergency runway repairs and set a firm reopening schedule for the airport.

The committee issued a statement Friday calling on the ministry to move quickly to repair and normalize operations at Muan International Airport, after the ministry said reopening could be delayed by one to two years due to deteriorating runway pavement durability.

The committee urged the ministry to release annual runway pavement condition data along with the results of its most recent inspection, and to conduct an objective verification process with the participation of independent civilian experts.

It also called for the prompt release of a comprehensive road map covering the restoration of safety facilities, runway repairs and a target date for resuming flights.

The committee opposed any consideration of temporarily routing international flights through Gwangju Airport, saying that returning international services — which were transferred to Muan in 2008 — back to Gwangju would undermine Muan Airport's standing and deepen regional tensions.

The committee also said it would be difficult to support related procedures, including a public referendum on relocating the Gwangju military airport, unless Muan International Airport is first restored to normal operations.