Incheon Bukdo-myeon Residents "Cannot Trust Incheon Airport Aircraft Noise Measurement"

Noise Measurement Results to Be Disclosed by Each Round and Demand for 365-Day Measurement

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Residents of Bukdo-myeon, Ongjin-gun near Incheon International Airport, who are complaining about aircraft noise damage, are opposing the noise measurement values conducted by Incheon Airport Corporation, claiming they cannot be trusted.

According to Ongjin-gun, Incheon, on the 3rd, Incheon International Airport Corporation has been conducting a commissioned study through Samwoo Environmental Consultants Co., Ltd. from May last year to November this year, spending about 845 million KRW for noise impact surveys around the airport.

The commissioned study mainly investigates aircraft noise measurements at Incheon Airport and expected noise impact considering air traffic demand, reviews the expansion of noise control areas due to the construction and operation of the 4th runway at Incheon Airport, shares information on the noise measurement process, and holds resident briefings.

Among these, aircraft noise measurements at Incheon Airport are conducted four times, each lasting 7 days. The 1st measurement was from August 1 to 7 last year, the 2nd from October 24 to 30 last year, the 3rd from December 23 to 29 last year, and the 4th is scheduled for this month from the 4th to the 10th.

However, residents of Bukdo-myeon claim that aircraft operations during the noise measurement periods were different from usual, making the noise measurement values unreliable, and are urging for countermeasures.

They argue that since they suffer from sleep disorders due to aircraft noise, noise should be measured 365 days a year, including nighttime flight noise, so that residents can physically feel it, and that the ongoing aircraft noise measurement results should be disclosed by each measurement period.

Kim Jeong-ryeol, chairman of the Bukdo-myeon village chief council in Ongjin-gun, said, "During the aircraft noise measurement periods at Incheon Airport, aircraft operate at distances farther than usual, making them hard to see with the naked eye, so residents distrust the noise measurement values," and added, "Noise should be measured 365 days a year."

He also pointed out, "Due to aircraft noise at Incheon Airport, which is the only airport in the country operating 24 hours, residents suffer from noise damage during day and night, as well as sleep disorders and hearing impairments during late-night hours," and said, "However, since support differs between the airport noise control area and the nearby airport noise area divided by a fence, conflicts among residents are occurring."

Bukdo-myeon consists of four islands including Sin, Si, Modo, and Jangbongdo, located only 2 to 11 km away from Yeongjongdo, where Incheon International Airport is situated.

Some areas of Bukdo-myeon were designated as "airport noise control areas" in 2016 under Article 5 of the Airport Noise Prevention Act, and are re-designated and announced every five years through feasibility reviews considering increased air traffic demand and changing conditions.

Currently, 23 households in Bukdo-myeon are classified as "airport noise control areas (75 WECPNL or above)" and 109 households as "nearby airport noise areas (70 WECPNL or above)." Among these, the airport noise control areas receive support such as installation of soundproofing and cooling facilities in houses, electricity bills for cooling facilities, and public broadcasting reception fees according to related laws.

Regarding this, an official from Ongjin-gun stated, "Since the results of the ongoing airport noise impact survey will affect the designation and announcement of noise control areas at Incheon Airport next year, we will continuously propose to related agencies to select noise measurement locations and disclose noise measurement results so that residents in noise-affected areas can trust the commissioned study results more."

Meanwhile, Ongjin-gun previously urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and related authorities to amend the current law, the "Act on Prevention of Airport Noise and Support for Noise Control Areas," to relax the standards for airport noise control areas.

The county's position is that the standard for airport noise control areas, "75 WECPNL or above," should be lowered to "70 WECPNL or above." If this standard is relaxed, other standards such as those for nearby airport noise control areas will also be eased, allowing residents of Bukdo-myeon to receive compensation and various supports.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.