SEOUL (UCAN): The Church in South Korea welcomed the decision by the country’s Ministry of Environment to once again reject plans for a second airport on the ecologically sensitive Jeju island.
In a notice on July 23, the environment ministry directed that all kinds of promotion processes and activities for a second airport should be halted as it has rejected the strategic environmental impact assessment for the new facility, media reports said.
The Diocese of Cheju, which covers Jeju Island, had issued a statement strongly opposing the new airport plan.
“It is very sad to pursue only money and to misinterpret that only money will bring happiness. This is unacceptable,” the statement said.
Public opinion polls have also shown most islanders disapprove of a second airport at Jeju.
On July 23, Father Kang Seung-soo, chairperson of the ecological and environment committee in the Diocese of Daejeon, celebrated a Mass with dozens of faithful at the Sejong government complex to express solidarity with the decision, the Catholic Times of Korea reported.
It was the 32nd Mass for the cause of halting plans for the second airport.
“Jeju governor Won Hee-ryong announced that he would promote the second airport without wavering,” Father Kang said in his homily.
“I hope and dream of a world where all living things live in harmony. Let us all strive for ecological repentance today when the earth is crying due to unprecedented heatwaves, floods, droughts and typhoons,” he said.
The draft of the proposed airport’s strategic environmental impact assessment was submitted in June 2019 and supplemented three times. Each time the assessment was deemed incomplete and unsatisfactory.
‘It is very sad to pursue only money and to misinterpret that only money will bring happiness. This is unacceptable’
Diocese of Cheju
The island already has one of the busiest airports in the world, used by an average of 26 million people annually.
Catholic officials said the second airport was unnecessary and would endanger the environment and wildlife while also adversely affecting poor islanders.
The Ministry of Environment made its decision after receiving and reviewing opinions from five specialised institutions suggesting important environmental matters necessary for consultation were omitted. It further noted that the plans for the protection of a bird habitat near the site and aircraft noise impact were inadequate and erroneous.
Citing a Gallup Korea poll, the Korea Herald reported in February that 47 per cent of those surveyed said they were opposed to the airport, while 44.1 per cent were in favour.
Jeju is the largest island in South Korea and is famed for its natural beauty, making it a prime destination for local and foreign tourists. The island is a part of the autonomous Jeju province and features several natural attractions recognised as world heritage sites by UNESCO.
Local officials say the existing airport in Jeju city was built in 1968 and is unable to meet the overwhelming demand as its single runway is often congested due to an average of 500 flights a day, causing delays at peak times and busy seasons.
According to 2020 government data, Jeju has about 695,500 residents including more than 75,000 Catholics.
