Move to relocate disputed air bases causes stir

By Yi Whan-woo

The National Assembly’s approval of a bill on relocation of the military air bases near residential areas, Friday, has created controversy over alleged populism ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election.

The bill requires the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the Air Force to look for replacement sites for the air bases if local governments ask them to move out of their regions. Observers claim the lawmakers’ decision was to win votes for their respective parties, although the latter claim it was in response to complaints of air pollution and excessive noise from aircraft by residents living in close proximity to the bases.

“It is possible that the bill can deepen the conflict between the MND and residents living in the disputed areas if the ministry fails to relocate the air bases,” an official said.

“The relocation of the bases will face a number of difficulties as the process requires finding up to 3,305 hectares of land for each,” another official said.

According to observers, the bill raises questions in terms of its effectiveness as it is a “mere modification” of a previous one that was scrapped due to its populist intent.

The initial bill proposed ahead of parliamentary elections in April stated that local governments need to take part in searching for the replacement sites for the air bases.

The National Assembly National Defense Committee approved the bill this time after omitting this clause.

“Requiring local governments to propose relocation sites can cause confusions in the process,” said Kim Jin-pyo, a member of the committee. He is the representative of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) for Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, where one of the 15 disputed air bases is located.

Rep. Yoo Seong-min, head of the committee also echoed a similar view. The Saenuri Party lawmaker represents Dong-gu, Daegu, another region housing an air base.

“The main goal of the bill is to require the MND and the Air Force to review sites for relocating air bases,” he said.

The MND did not raise an objection against the decision but observers say it is “being careful and prudent” ahead of the election despite its misgivings.