Sejong, March 10 - On March 6, 2023, the Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that it notified the land ministry of its decision of conditional approval to a strategic environmental impact assessment for a plan to build a second airport on Jeju Island. A strategic environmental impact assessment is a system that an administrative body should consult with the Ministry of Environment before finalizing any plans which may affect the environment. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) should reflect the Ministry of Environment's 'conditional approval' in the 'Basic Plan for Jeju's Second Airport.' Before approving the implementation plan, which is a subsequent process, MOLIT should consult on environmental impact assessment with the Jeju government according to the 'Special Act On The Establishment Of Jeju Special Self-governing Province And The Development Of Free International City.'

Due to insufficient data regard to a request made for amendment, the Ministry of Environment rejected the strategic environmental impact assessment report for establishing the 'Basic Plan to build Jeju's Second Airport' on July 20, 2021. MOLIT amended the strategic environmental impact assessment after one-year research, and requested the environment ministry to consult on the strategic environmental impact assessment again on January 5, 2023. 

The Ministry of Environment notified the conditional approval regarding the re-submitted strategic environmental assessment report following a review by institutions with expertise, such as the Korea Environment Institute. The reason for conditional approval was because consistency with upper-level and other related plans and the appropriateness of a site location was recognized, and amendments on reasons for rejection were well-addressed in the report. The Ministry of Environment decided that the construction plan for Jeju's second airport is appropriate in terms of the plan's feasibility since the plan has already been reflected in the upper-level and related administrative plan. Various procedures and studies have been conducted to determine the new airport's location (Seongsan-up, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do). Moreover, the appropriateness of a site location has also been validated by preparing plans for natural and living environmental conservation through an amending the environmental impact assessment over three years from 2019.

The environment ministry notified the land ministry of the detailed feedback from reviewing institutions on the strategic environmental impact assessment report and conditionally agreed on the plan. Hence, the results will be reflected in the environmental impact assessment report with which the Jeju government will consult.

First, the environment ministry asked to provide sufficient information to residents and the Jeju government while finalizing the administrative plan and subsequent environmental impact assessment. The environment ministry asked to consider various issues raised during the process in the plan and acquisition of approval for the project.

Second, the environment ministry asked to establish risk management plans for bird collision and include the plan in the environmental impact assessment to prevent bird collisions for aviation safety and protect bird habitats.

Third, the environment ministry asked to thoroughly investigate on the impact and countermeasures of aviation noise, protection of organisms under legal protection, and effects of respiratory caves1 and devise measures for reduction. 

The Ministry of Environment also disclosed the strategic environmental impact assessment report and consultations on the environmental impact assessment information system (eiass.go.kr). 

1 An entrance to a geological structure where water flows into the ground relatively faster than the surrounding area. Examples of respiratory caves are volcanic depressions, cracks, joint development zones, and clinker layers produced as products of volcanic activity (except for caves defined by the Cultural Heritage Administration)

Contact:Kim Joon-ho, Deputy Director

Environmental Impact Assessment Division / +82-(0)44-201-7267

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr