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Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back speaks during the first-half 2026 major military commanders' conference held at the Ministry of National Defense conference room in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on July 1. / Courtesy of Yonhap News

The Ministry of National Defense announced on July 21 that it will lift restricted protection zones covering 8.628 square kilometers, an area roughly three times the size of Yeouido (2.9 square kilometers). Undertaken as part of the broader plan mentioned by Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back to "lift restrictions on an area 150 times the size of Yeouido," the move aims to promote public rights and foster balanced regional development.

On the same day, the ministry stated that it will lift or ease military facility protection zones spanning approximately 29.16 square kilometers—ten times the area of Yeouido—to enhance public interests and regional development.

Under the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, military facility protection zones are classified into "controlled protection zones" and "restricted protection zones." Controlled protection zones strictly prohibit entry and new construction in principle, while restricted protection zones permit new construction and development through consultation and approval procedures. Flight safety zones are designated by the Minister of National Defense to ensure safe flight operations during the takeoff and landing of military aircraft.

Looking at the details of the ministry's lifting and easing measures, restricted protection zones covering 8.628 square kilometers—roughly three times the size of Yeouido—will be lifted across regions including Goseong County, Sokcho, Pyeongtaek, Goyang, and Yongsan District. The ministry explained that the selected sites were determined to pose no hindrance to operational execution even after lifting the protection zone designation.

Specifically, restricted protection zones in Goseong County and Sokcho, Gangwon Province, will be lifted to relieve residents' infringement on property rights and daily inconveniences caused by altitude restriction regulations. In Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, designations will be lifted following the completed relocation of ammunitions from a depot within the Godeok Internationalized Planning District. In Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the measure aims to secure favorable conditions for developing local techno valleys and public housing. The restricted protection zone designated around Yongsan Children's Park will also be lifted.

Furthermore, a controlled protection zone in the Gunjang-dong area of Siheung (0.017 square kilometers), where a residential settlement is already established and the impact on military operations is minor, will be eased to a restricted protection zone. Additionally, flight safety zones will be lifted across four locations covering 20.515 square kilometers, including Mapo and Eunpyeong in Seoul, Goyang, and Sejong.

Susaek Airfield, which no longer requires maintenance as a wartime and peacetime support air operations base, will be converted into a helicopter-exclusive air operations base, with plans to lift flight safety zones spanning 19.82 square kilometers. The actual lifting will take place in the second half of this year in line with amendments to the relevant enforcement decree. For Jochiwon Airfield, flight safety zones covering 0.695 square kilometers around the existing runway will be lifted in accordance with the Jochiwon-Yeongi Airfield integrated relocation project.

Last month, while announcing the ministry's military facility regulation improvement policy, Minister Ahn stated that restricted protection zones covering approximately 150 times the area of Yeouido (435 square kilometers) are expected to be lifted. The ministry's latest action can be viewed as part of that initiative. These measures will take effect following their publication in the official gazette on July 22.

                                                                                                           Lee Han-sol