Sokcho (Mulchi Airfield) (G-407/K-50) Airport

Military obsolescence and urban expansion. The airfield's strategic importance as a forward airbase diminished significantly after the 1953 Korean War Armistice. As the nearby city of Sokcho expanded, the valuable coastal land was repurposed for critical infrastructure and commercial development.

The site is completely redeveloped and is no longer an airfield. The main north-south artery for the region, National Route 7 (Donghae-daero), was built directly over the former runway's path. The land is now occupied by a mixture of commercial businesses, restaurants, residential buildings, and a golf driving range. The original layout is no longer visible on the ground, though its faint outline can be traced on historical satellite maps.

Designated K-50 by the U.S. Air Force and G-407 by the U.S. Army, Mulchi Airfield was a significant forward operating base during the Korean War. Its location on the east coast, just south of the 38th parallel, made it a vital staging point for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and United States military aviation units. It primarily supported liaison, reconnaissance, and light attack aircraft such as the L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, T-6 Texan, and P-51 Mustang. It played a crucial role in supporting ground troops and monitoring enemy movements along the eastern front. After the war, it was maintained by the ROKAF for a period before being decommissioned. It is important to distinguish this historic military airfield from the more modern, civilian Sokcho Airport (IATA: SHO, ICAO: RKND), which was located further south and closed in 2002 upon the opening of Yangyang International Airport.

There are zero prospects for reopening this airfield. The site has been irreversibly integrated into the urban fabric of the Sokcho area, with a major national highway and extensive private development built upon it. Any regional air service discussions focus on the operational Yangyang International Airport (YNY), located a short distance to the south.