Muan International Airport proposed as alternative for Gwangju military airport relocation

During a policy forum held at the National Assembly, lawmakers and experts proposed using Muan International Airport as a phased alternative for the relocation of the Gwangju military airport. This proposal aims to accelerate the relocation process, which is seen as a prerequisite for the timely development of the Honam semiconductor cluster.

Participants criticized the government’s current plan for temporary decentralized placement across three different areas, citing concerns over resident acceptance, the cost of building temporary facilities like hangars and barracks, and the continuity of military operations. Instead, experts suggested a dual-use model for Muan International Airport. This would involve prioritizing the shared use of runways followed by the gradual construction of specialized military facilities, such as maintenance and command centers.

National Assembly member Song Young-gil emphasized that the relocation is a national task involving security, balanced regional development, and future industrial strategy. He stated that the relocation must be integrated with the establishment of semiconductor industrial complexes and necessary infrastructure to ensure economic growth.