Will Seongnam’s Height Limit Revisions Solve Air Safety Issues? Key Insights Revealed!

Seongnam city officials announced on the 10th that they have resubmitted a revised proposal to the Ministry of National Defense, addressing previously rejected plans to ease height restrictions in aviation safety zones 5 and 6.

The new proposal outlines three options for relaxing height limitations across approximately 45 square kilometers, affecting 24 districts including Taepeong, Sinheung, Sujin, Seongnam, Yatap, and Imae. Seongnam, with a total area of 141.8 square kilometers, currently has about 80 square kilometers under height restrictions, divided into six aviation safety zones based on Seoul Airport’s runway.

To tackle this issue, Seongnam launched a research study in September 2023. After gathering public input, they developed five proposals to ease these restrictions, which were formally presented to the Defense Ministry in June 2025.

The Ministry accepted two of the proposals: revising the ground-level criteria in the Military Base Act’s enforcement decree (effective August 26, 2025) and announcing changes to Seongnam’s aviation safety zones (effective September 27, 2025). However, three proposals were rejected: altering Seoul Airport’s aircraft approach path from east to west (towards Cheonggye Mountain), establishing special approach procedures, and easing height restrictions based on the conservatively set minimum descent altitude.

Considering these three rejected proposals crucial for meaningful height regulation relief, Seongnam officials reevaluated the Ministry’s objections from an aeronautical standpoint. They incorporated public feedback and prepared a revised plan for resubmission.

The revised proposal focuses on relaxing height restrictions in approach areas, adjusting height limitations due to non-implementation of certain approach procedures, and easing restrictions through the establishment of special approach protocols.

Additionally, Seongnam requested a revision to the criteria for calculating shielding areas as defined in Article 2, Section 6 of the Management Directive for Military Bases and Military Facility Protection Zones. They propose including tree heights in these calculations, rather than excluding them as is currently done.

The city also highlighted precedents where military structures within Seoul Airport were permitted to exceed height restriction surfaces after passing aviation safety impact assessments (one case each in 2020 and 2021). They requested similar flexibility for private buildings outside shielding areas if they are proven not to impact aviation safety.

Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin emphasized, “Resolving the height restriction issue is a challenge we must overcome, even if it requires multiple revisions and consultations. We are committed to persistent negotiations with the Defense Ministry to strike a balance between protecting our citizens’ property rights and ensuring aviation safety.”

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