Jeju Island to Get Second Airport
In September, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT)* announced major construction plans for Jeju Island. It said that a second airport will be built there in the future.The new airport is expected to be established in the eastern part of Seogwipo on Jeju Island. The decision to officially green-light the project comes nine years after the ministry first proposed it in 2015.Jeju Island is one of the most popular domestic tourist destinations, and the number of visitors to the island increases yearly. In 2023, nearly 30 million tourists flew into Jeju International Airport in Jeju City.Due to the excessive number of flights, the island’s lone airport has struggled with overcapacity. This has led to such problems as congested runways and flight delays.The government is hopeful that constructing a second airport on the popular island will fix these problems. When completed, it will be able to handle 28 airplanes simultaneously and greet 17 million passengers annually.However, some people have voiced concerns about the government’s plans. They worry that the large-scale construction project will causesevere environmental damage to Jeju Island.Other critics question the necessity of adding a second airport to the tourist destination. Theyare doubtful of the government’s prediction that the demand for flights and tourists will continue to rise in the future.In response, officials at MOLIT say that the new airport will help to resolve both current and future congestion problems on Jeju Island and boost its tourism industry. Furthermore, a thorough assessment of the possible environmental impact will take place before the construction of the airport begins.
Questions:1. When did the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announce
the plan for a second airport on Jeju Island?
2. Why does Jeju Island need a second airport?
3. How many passengers will the new airport be able to handle each year?
4. What are some people worried about regarding the construction of the second airport?
5. Do you think building a second airport is a good idea?
How do you feel about large construction projects in tourist places?
