The recently closed Sacheon Air Show is the pride of Sacheon. The Sacheon Air Show, which opened on the 22nd, attracted 80,000 people on the first day alone to watch the Black Eagles’ acrobatic flight. Although this year’s event fell on the weekend, the total number of visitors fell short of previous years, 300,000 to 400,000 people visit each festival. It is a rare event to announce the status of Sacheon, an aerospace city. However, there is one regret. The festival has grown, but the stage is still inside the military unit.
Visitors must go through identification to enter the military unit and install a security app that blocks the function of photographing mobile phones. However, at the scene, photos were taken with mobile phones everywhere. There were complaints that only those who followed the regulations were unable to film because of the security app. There are regulations, but the burden of management is high and confusion occurs in the field. Even considering the specificity of military facilities, it is worth considering whether the current operation method is the best.
The effects of the local economy are also limited. Visitors must leave the unit at 4:30 p.m. Time is tight for those who have come a long way to enjoy dinner or night sightseeing. It is important how long people stay in Sacheon and how much money they spend. However, according to early exit guidelines, visitors are busy heading home or moving to nearby cities.
The solution is to divide the space by program. Even if air force experiences such as aircraft ground displays are placed in the unit, acrobatic flight viewing and cultural events are not necessarily held in it. It is worth considering whether the defense industry company booth can utilize the proper land in front of the city hall or the aviation national industrial complex.
Sacheon has experience to refer to. The air show held at Samcheonpo Bridge Park in 2023 showed that flight viewing events were possible outside the unit. Of course, this cannot replace all events. There is not enough space to install large aircraft and corporate booths, and it is also necessary to secure flight safety zones in consideration of surrounding bridges and residences. But there’s no reason to just hang on to one place. Find more viewing points in the coastal area, and set up ground exhibitions and industrial events in separate spaces.
What matters is not the place, but the change of ideas. We should change the idea that all programs should be carried out within the military. You can search for a suitable space for each event by considering flight safety, security, and traffic conditions. If the night drone show, busking, and local food events are linked, the festival’s enthusiasm can lead to nearby commercial districts and tourist attractions.
The Air Force and local governments should put their heads together. The Air Force can present safety and security standards, and Gyeongnam Province and Sacheon City can prepare land and transportation measures that can be used. There is no need to push ahead with it extensively from the beginning. You can test distributed operations with some programs, check safety and economic effects, and then expand them. There is no reason to keep the impression of heaven only inside the military unit. It is time for a change to broaden the afterglow throughout the city.
[Choi Seungkyun, deputy director of social affairs]
