Muan International Airport Exposed to Ground Subsidence Risk, Cracks in Facilities Due to High-Speed Rail Construction Impact
Muan International Airport has been reported to be at risk of ground subsidence due to nearby high-speed rail construction. Cracks have appeared throughout the airport facilities, raising concerns about safety.
According to News1 on the 19th, the Korea Airport Corporation conducted a joint safety inspection of the ground subsidence site at Muan Airport on the 31st of last month, confirming ground subsidence in several locations.
The inspection focused on areas where ground subsidence occurred in moving and managed zones, as well as cracks in facilities such as fences and underground structures. The corporation discussed measures to address the issues after detailed inspections.
Facilities experiencing cracks or deformation due to ground subsidence include the foundations of the apron lighting tower, the boundary areas of the passenger terminal and GSE roadway, around the boarding bridge foundations, the sides of the passenger terminal, the fence of Boarding Bridge No. 1, and the floor on the sides of Boarding Bridge No. 1 and the passenger terminal.
The airport corporation analyzed that ongoing blasting impacts (vibrations) and changes in groundwater levels during the construction of the ventilation shaft and integrated vertical shaft of the 4th section of the 2nd phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (Gomakwon to Mokpo) are the causes of the ground subsidence.
Ground Subsidence Left Untended for Over a Year, Delay in Countermeasures
It has been identified that the ground subsidence phenomenon at Muan Airport has been detected for a considerable amount of time.
According to Representative Yoon Jong-gun's office of the Democratic Party, the airport corporation requested a safety inspection from the Korea National Railway Corporation, the orderer of the high-speed rail construction, last October. The airport corporation explained that it has since conducted field inspections with experts.
However, as ground subsidence and cracks accelerated, the airport corporation sent a letter urging the railway corporation to carry out repair measures and establish countermeasures related to ground subsidence.
The letter stated, "It has been confirmed that the subsidence and cracks in facilities such as ground and fences near Ventilation Shaft No. 3 (near the Muan Airport cargo terminal) are progressing rapidly, and we request the implementation of repair measures and the establishment of countermeasures related to ground subsidence."
Experts Urge to Halt Construction and Expedite Repairs
The problem is that it has been over a year since the ground subsidence occurred, yet the railway corporation has still not established any countermeasures.
Experts emphasize that since the airport is currently closed, construction should be promptly halted, and repairs due to ground subsidence should be carried out as soon as possible.
Muan Airport has been closed for operations until July to repair damaged facilities after the Jeju Air passenger aircraft incident.
Image source: Muan International Airport scenery / Jeollanam-do, Honam High-Speed Railway 2nd phase construction section / Korea National Railway Corporation, Yoon Jong-gun Democratic Party's office / News1
