Hwang Hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s revision of altitude restriction standards would not impact the reconstruction of Mokdong apartments.
On the 29th, Hwang noted that he held a meeting on the 28th to discuss the response direction regarding the ICAO international standard revision with the Mokdong 14 complex reconstruction promotion committee federation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency under the United Nations responsible for aviation technology, transport, and facilities, completely revised the 'Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS)' standard in March. The revision eases the previously strict regulation of the creation of obstacles, such as buildings, for safe aircraft operation, dividing it into 'Prohibited Surface' (OFS) and 'Evaluation Surface' (OES). The effective date is November 21, 2030.
As news of the ICAO altitude restriction standard revision emerged, concerns were raised that it could impact the Mokdong apartment reconstruction project. These concerns arose as an area with a radius of about 11 to 13 kilometers from Gimpo Airport is classified as an evaluation surface, potentially expanding altitude restrictions.
The Mokdong reconstruction complexes issued a statement saying, "If this standard is applied domestically, most of the western metropolitan areas, including Mokdong in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, and Eunpyeong, would be newly subject to altitude restriction regulations, making reconstruction and redevelopment difficult, and severely infringing on residents' property rights and opportunities for housing improvement," and stated, "Therefore, we clearly oppose the application of the ICAO revision to the country."
In response, Hwang stated that beyond the existing absolute prohibited area (Prohibited Surface, OFS), the introduction of Evaluation Surface (OES) allows for autonomous judgment according to each country's circumstances, and the recent ICAO revision could even create the possibility of relaxing altitude restrictions based on aeronautical assessments. It is also known that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul City shared the understanding of this revision's intent, noting that interpretations such as expanding altitude restrictions in urban areas would be difficult during actual implementation.
Hwang emphasized that "it is explicitly stated in the revision that obstacles exceeding the obstacle evaluation surface should be allowed if aeronautical evaluations conclude that they do not negatively affect the safety or on-time operation of the aircraft," reminding that the altitude restrictions of the evaluation surfaces could be relaxed through aeronautical review and assessment beyond what has been previously known, adding, "As the Mokdong area has suffered from infringements on property rights, I will do my best to ensure that the property rights guaranteed by the constitution are safeguarded."
He further highlighted, "Regarding the Mokdong reconstruction, we are actively communicating with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and will promote the rational relaxation of altitude restrictions utilizing the new concept of the 'Evaluation Surface' as much as possible."