President Lee: Gwangju Military Airport to Be Temporarily Relocated to Another Base by 2028

On the 10th, President Lee Jae Myung said that the Honam Semiconductor Cluster project must move beyond a speed race and into a full-scale offensive, urging faster implementation. He also instructed the Ministry of National Defense to temporarily relocate the functions of Gwangju Military Airport to another military air base by mid-2028 so the airport site can be used early for a semiconductor industrial complex.
Presiding over the second public-private review meeting on mega projects at Cheong Wa Dae that day, Lee said, "At this stage, the site and infrastructure are above all important," and made the remarks.
Lee said, "Honam, the Yeongnam region and the Chungcheong region are the three key areas, and among them, I hope the Honam Semiconductor Cluster will be executed as quickly as Kumamoto in Japan, if not faster."
He added, "I hope the Ministry of National Defense will take steps so that the functions of the Gwangju base can be temporarily relocated to another military air base by mid-2028, allowing the Gwangju Military Airport site to be used early as a semiconductor industrial complex. Even before the temporary relocation, I ask that every effort be made to allow the industrial complex to break ground early on land near the military airport. Power and water supply plans must also be prepared without delay." However, Gwangju Military Airport is known to be a joint U.S.-South Korea Air Force operating base, with some facilities and land provided to USFK. Observers say the outcome of consultations between Seoul and Washington could affect the pace of the relocation.
Lee also called for the swift handling of related legislation and administrative procedures. He said, "We need to maintain close communication with the National Assembly and speed up the enactment and revision of related laws," adding, "Please treat the next year as a golden time and devote all-out efforts to the task."
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter