서울행정법원이 새만금국제공항 개발사업 기본계획을 취소해야 한다고 판결했다.

서울행정법원 행정7부(수석부장판사 이주영)는 11일 열린 기본계획 취소소송에서 “이 사건 계획은 재량을 일탈한 것으로 위법하다”며 원고 승소 판결을 내렸다.

재판부는 국토교통부가 사업 과정에서 조류 충돌 위험과 생태계 파괴에 대한 검토를 충분히 하지 않았고, 구체적인 대안을 제시하지 못했다고 지적했다. 이어 “법정보호종 조류 등 서식지에 미치는 영향을 면밀히 검토했어야 하며, 지역균형발전이라는 공익이 환경 훼손에 따른 공익 침해보다 우위에 있다고 보기 어렵다”고 밝혔다.

특히 국토부가 ▲조류 충돌 위험의 근거 없는 축소 평가 ▲위험 요소의 입지 선정 과정 미반영 ▲조류 생태계 파괴 영향 검토 미비 ▲환경 훼손 저감 대책 미흡 등 여러 하자가 있었다고 판단했다.

판결 직후 ‘새만금신공항백지화공동행동’은 법원 앞에서 기자회견을 열고 “이재명 정부는 신공항 정책을 즉각 백지화하라”고 촉구했다.

반면 전북특별자치도는 성명을 통해 “180만 도민과 함께 깊은 유감을 표한다”며 “국토교통부와 협력해 즉시 항소 절차에 돌입하고, 항소심에서 새만금국제공항의 필요성과 정당성을 반드시 입증하겠다”고 밝혔다.

Seoul Administrative Court has ruled that the basic plan for the development of the SaeManGeum International Airport project should be canceled.

In a lawsuit held on the 11th, the Administrative 7th Division of the Seoul Administrative Court, led by Chief Judge Lee Ju-young, issued a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, stating, "The plan in question is illegal as it has deviated from discretion."

The court pointed out that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport did not adequately consider the risks of bird collisions and ecological destruction in the project process, and failed to provide specific alternatives. It further stated, "It should have thoroughly examined the impact on protected bird species habitats, and it is difficult to consider the public interest of regional balanced development as superior to the infringement of public interest due to environmental damage."

In particular, the court determined that there were several deficiencies, such as ▲ unjustified reduction assessment of bird collision risks ▲ failure to reflect the site selection process of risk factors ▲ inadequate assessment of the impact of bird ecological destruction ▲ insufficient measures to mitigate environmental damage by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Immediately after the ruling, the 'SaeManGeum Airport Blank Paperization Joint Action' held a press conference in front of the court, urging the government of Governor Lee Jae-myung to immediately blank out the airport policy.

On the other hand, North Jeolla Province expressed deep regret through a statement, saying, "We express deep regret along with 1.8 million residents," and stated, "We will immediately enter the appeal process in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and will definitely prove the necessity and legitimacy of the SaeManGeum International Airport in the appellate court."