(LEAD) S. Korea stands by conglomerate to allow skyscraper near airfield

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Despite persistent concerns over compromises 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 realign one of two runways at the air base in the city of Seongnam to
avoid possible collisions with the tower planned to be built by the Lotte Group.
Lotte is one of the largest conglomerates in the country and already runs a large
theme park in Jamsil in the southern part of the capital. The new tower has been
tentatively dubbed the "Second Lotte World."
"The government has asked for advice from experts to check possible risks, but
all the reports indicate that there are no problems," said Cho Won-dong, deputy
minister for administration.
The official said experts debated the issue in detail and concluded that if all
necessary precautions and safeguards are implemented, there should be no problem
with operating the airfield.
"They even ran simulations of wake turbulence caused by winds hitting the tower
and then affecting wind flow that could pose problems for airplanes, but none
have shown the development would pose serious dangers," Cho said.
If there are no changes to this posture, Seoul is expected to hold a meeting of
government, military and civilian experts and give the final go-ahead to build
the new building within the month.
The government said this year it could shift the eastern runway that faces the
proposed 555-meter-tall skyscraper by 3 degrees so airplanes using it would not
be exposed to danger.
Criticism spiked, arguing the measure would fall short of ensuring the safety of
both planes and civilians, especially in bad weather and at night, when
identifying obstructions adds to the strain on pilots.
Opponents, including both ruling and opposition lawmakers, have argued that the
ability of the Air Force to deploy fighters to quickly to defend the capital city
could be compromised should war break out with North Korea.
The airfield is one of the closest to South Korea's border with North Korea,
which is regarded as "an immediate and grave threat" to the South because the
1950-53 Korean War in a truce, not a peace treaty. Because it lies just outside
city limits, the base is also used by foreign dignitaries arriving in the country
and South Korean presidents.
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.
The Air Force said talks with Lotte have progressed so work can begin to realign
the direction of the runway. In addition, plans are being considered to redeploy
a light attack squadron to the Wonju Air Base, it said. Light attack planes
usually do not have advanced avionics and radar that can give collision warnings
in bad weather.
President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative who took office early last year with a
pledge to be "business-friendly," suggested last year that government opposition
to the construction could change.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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