Ministry of National Defense's 'Suwon Military Airfield Relocation' Conflict Management Study Draws Strong Opposition from Hwaseong Residents

Hwaseong Special City: "The method and scope of surveying Hwaong District residents' opinions are one-sided"
Civic groups: "The principle is to survey 100% of Manse-gu residents in the proposed relocation area"
Backlash over Mini

A research project being pursued by the Ministry of National Defense to resolve regional conflict over the relocation of Suwon Military Airfield has faced strong opposition from Hwaseong Special City and civic groups. The project is intended to gather residents' views on the relocation, but controversy is growing amid criticism that the survey questions and participants have been selected in a way that would increase public acceptance of the move.

On November 30, 2023, more than 10,000 Hwaseong residents held a large rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, calling for the withdrawal of the proposed site for a Suwon military airbase. Courtesy of Hwaseong City.

According to Hwaseong Special City on October 15, the Ministry of National Defense has been conducting a research project titled "Conflict Management for the Relocation of Suwon Military Airfield" since July, with a budget of 98.4 million won over six months through January 2027. The project is being carried out by the Korean Association for Conflict Studies, an incorporated association.

The project aims to analyze Hwaseong's opposition to relocating Suwon Military Airfield and the factors behind local tensions, and to develop solutions. It includes a review of literature and domestic and international cases, as well as in-person resident surveys, in-depth interviews, and discussion sessions.

The Ministry of National Defense plans to survey about 1,000 Hwaseong residents and conduct in-depth interviews with about 200 residents who agree to participate. It also plans to hold three discussion sessions.

Hwaseong Special City, however, says there are problems with the selection of survey participants and the design of the questionnaire.

The main point of contention is the area to be surveyed. The ministry initially proposed allocating 60% of survey participants to residents of Manse-gu, where Hwaong District, a proposed candidate site for the relocation of Suwon Military Airfield, is located, and the remaining 40% to residents of the other three districts.

Hwaseong Special City says the survey should cover 100% of Manse-gu residents, who would be directly affected by the relocation. It argues that including the views of residents in areas relatively far from the proposed site could dilute the voices of those expected to suffer direct harm.

The neutrality of the survey questions has also come under scrutiny.

Hwaseong Special City and civic groups say the "in-person survey providing information" proposed by the Ministry of National Defense is structured to first explain the benefits of relocating the military airfield, support programs, and the potential for regional cooperation, before asking respondents whether they support the relocation and whether they would favor a residents' referendum.

They argue that this survey structure could lead respondents to form a positive perception of the relocation.

Hwaseong Special City said it asked the Ministry of National Defense on October 14 to consult in advance on the survey method and scope, but protested that the project was moving forward without adequately reflecting its views.

The city also disagreed with the proposed format for the in-depth interviews and discussion sessions.

Hwaseong Special City called for excluding the provision of additional information or conversation methods that could prompt particular answers during in-depth interviews, and for conducting one-on-one interviews so residents' views could be heard independently.

The city also said the discussion sessions should focus on residents of Ujeong-eup and Manse-gu, who are directly connected to the proposed candidate site, rather than follow the Ministry of National Defense's plan to involve residents of the Dongtan and Byeongjeom areas.

On November 30, 2023, more than 10,000 Hwaseong residents held a large-scale rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, calling for the withdrawal of the proposed candidate site for the Suwon military airfield. Courtesy of Hwaseong City.

Civic groups have voiced even stronger opposition.

Lee Sanghwan, standing chair of the Pan-Citizens' Countermeasures Committee Opposing the Relocation of Suwon Military Airfield to Hwaseong, criticized the process, saying, "The format and method of the opinion poll have been designed unilaterally in Suwon City's favor. The survey should cover 100% of Manse-gu residents. By what authority are they discussing the relocation of a military airfield to someone else's area without even consulting Hwaseong City?"

He added, "We have no choice but to view this survey as biased, designed to manage residents' opposition and increase public acceptance of the military airfield's relocation."

Lee also stressed the potential harm to residents from the relocation.

"Relocating a military airfield is not simply a matter of moving a facility. It is a serious issue involving Hwaseong residents' rights to health and property, as well as their children's right to education," Lee said. "Given the concerns about restrictions on regional development due to height limits and the economic damage, the views of residents directly affected must be given top priority."

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