Yeouido Airport

The primary reason for closure was the development and expansion of Gimpo International Airport, which was better suited to handle larger modern aircraft and increasing passenger volume. Yeouido Airport's location on a small island in the center of a rapidly expanding Seoul made it impossible to expand its runways and created significant noise and safety concerns for the surrounding urban area. The South Korean government initiated a major development plan for the island, earmarking the valuable land for a central park, the National Assembly Building, and a major financial district, making the airport's removal a strategic urban planning decision.

The former airport site has been completely redeveloped and is now unrecognizable as an airfield. The land is occupied by Yeouido Park, a large public park that opened in 1999. The park's long central promenade and bicycle path directly follow the path of the old main runway, serving as a subtle tribute to its aviation past. The surrounding area on Yeouido Island has become one of Seoul's most important districts, housing the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, major broadcasting companies (like KBS), and the heart of South Korea's financial industry, often referred to as 'Korea's Wall Street,' with the Korea Exchange (KRX) and numerous investment firm headquarters.

Yeouido Airport was the first airport in Korea, holding immense historical importance. Established as a landing strip by the Japanese Imperial Army in 1916 and officially opened as an airfield in 1924, it served as the main air gateway to Seoul for decades. It handled Korea's first international and domestic flights, initially connecting Seoul with cities in Japan and later across the Korean peninsula. During the Korean War (1950-1953), the airport was a critical strategic asset, captured and used by both North Korean and UN/US forces. After the war, it became the hub for the first South Korean flag carrier, Korean National Airlines (KNA). It was the site of many national 'firsts' in aviation and hosted numerous state visits and public airshows before its functions were transferred to Gimpo.

There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening Yeouido Airport. The site is now a vital and densely developed urban center, comprising a major public park, the seat of the national legislature, and a critical financial hub. The land value is exceptionally high, and the existing infrastructure makes re-establishing an airport logistically, economically, and politically impossible.