ID :
52297
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 04:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52297
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea stands by conglomerate to allow skyscraper near airfield
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Despite lasting concerns over a compromise in security, the government reaffirmed Wednesday its decision to allow a local conglomerate to build a skyscraper within the operational vicinity of a military airstrip south of Seoul.
The announcement by the prime minister's office confirms its earlier decision to
slightly reshape the airfield in the city of Seongnam to avoid possible
collisions with a tower to be built by Lotte Group, one of South Korea's biggest
business groups.
The government said this year it could shift one of the runways by three degrees
so airplanes using the strip would not get in the way of the planned
555-meter-tall tower.
Criticism spiked, arguing the measure would fall short of ensuring the safety of
both planes and civilians, especially in bad weather, when identifying
obstructions adds to the strain on pilots.
Opponents, including ruling and opposition lawmakers, also said the ability of
the Air Force to deploy fighters to frontlines would be compromised should war
break out with North Korea.
The airfield is one of the closest to the border of North Korea, which is
regarded as "an immediate and grave threat" to South Korea because the 1950-53
Korean War in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The prime minister's office emphasized in a statement that researchers have
concluded "there are no safety problems" linked to the planned tower, tentatively
dubbed the Second Lotte World. The company already runs a large theme park in
Jamsil in the southern part of the capital.
The Air Force has endorsed the government decision, a drastic reversal from its
stance under the previous liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration.
"We believe operability and safety can be ensured through readjustment, and we
accept the decision," a South Korean Air Force official said, speaking on
customary condition of anonymity.
President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative who took office early last year with a
pledge to get "business-friendly," suggested last year that government opposition
to the construction could change.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
The announcement by the prime minister's office confirms its earlier decision to
slightly reshape the airfield in the city of Seongnam to avoid possible
collisions with a tower to be built by Lotte Group, one of South Korea's biggest
business groups.
The government said this year it could shift one of the runways by three degrees
so airplanes using the strip would not get in the way of the planned
555-meter-tall tower.
Criticism spiked, arguing the measure would fall short of ensuring the safety of
both planes and civilians, especially in bad weather, when identifying
obstructions adds to the strain on pilots.
Opponents, including ruling and opposition lawmakers, also said the ability of
the Air Force to deploy fighters to frontlines would be compromised should war
break out with North Korea.
The airfield is one of the closest to the border of North Korea, which is
regarded as "an immediate and grave threat" to South Korea because the 1950-53
Korean War in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The prime minister's office emphasized in a statement that researchers have
concluded "there are no safety problems" linked to the planned tower, tentatively
dubbed the Second Lotte World. The company already runs a large theme park in
Jamsil in the southern part of the capital.
The Air Force has endorsed the government decision, a drastic reversal from its
stance under the previous liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration.
"We believe operability and safety can be ensured through readjustment, and we
accept the decision," a South Korean Air Force official said, speaking on
customary condition of anonymity.
President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative who took office early last year with a
pledge to get "business-friendly," suggested last year that government opposition
to the construction could change.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
