Muan County Council: "Governor Kim Young-rok's Actions Cannot Be Considered Hypocritical"

"100,000 Gunmin Will Not Stand By, Will Fight On"

The Muan County Council of Jeollanam-do (Chairman Kim Kyung-hyun) expressed that it "cannot help but feel sorrow and a sense of loss beyond anger" in response to the statement by Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok that "the Gwangju Military Airport and the civilian airport should be relocated to Muan as a package."

The Special Committee Against the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan County (Chairman Lee Ho-sung, hereinafter the Committee) strongly condemned the statement issued by Governor Kim Young-rok regarding the military airport relocation at 2 p.m. on the 18th in front of the Muan County Council, saying, "This is nothing but a hypocritical act that drives the people of Muan County into a desperate situation."

The Special Committee Against the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan-gun of the Muan-gun Council is issuing a statement in front of the Muan-gun Council.
[Photo by Oh Hwan-ju]

The Committee lamented, "Starting with Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung's overreaching remarks on March 9 about the 'integrated relocation of Gwangju Military Airport and attracting the Airport Corporation,' followed by Governor Kim Young-rok's hints at relocating the Gwangju Military Airport to Muan County and his remarks on accepting the military and civilian airports on a grand scale, our Muan County is unfortunately caught in the crossfire of power struggles between two massive local governments."

They continued, "Originally, Muan International Airport was opened with the purpose of serving as a hub airport for the southwestern region through the relocation and consolidation of Gwangju's civilian airport," and explained, "Despite numerous difficulties, Muan County has devoted all efforts with the united aspiration of local residents, hoping solely for the revitalization of Muan International Airport."

Furthermore, they argued, "Governor Kim Young-rok's recent statement, which should guarantee the safety and pursuit of happiness of Jeonnam residents, appears to act as a spokesperson for Gwangju City, prioritizing only Gwangju citizens while abandoning Jeonnam residents," and claimed, "The cancellation of Gwangju City's promise to relocate the civilian airport, along with the governor's acceptance of the military airport relocation on a grand scale, is an act that drives our Muan residents into a desperate situation."

In particular, they questioned, "Who was the deep bow after the statement directed towards, and to whom was the heartfelt appeal made?" and raised their voices, saying, "If the military airport relocation issue could be resolved by making a deep bow and appealing emotionally, our council members and the people of Muan would bow hundreds, no, thousands of times."

The Committee urged, "Governor Kim Young-rok must immediately stop his irrational behavior so far and apologize to the people of Muan and Jeonnam," and emphasized, "It must be made clear that the relocation of the military airport and the civilian airport are separate issues, and Jeonnam Province should make multifaceted efforts at the provincial level to relocate the civilian airport so that Muan International Airport can be revitalized as a hub airport for the southwestern region."

Special Committee Chairman Lee Ho-sung stated, "If the covert administrative actions to relocate the Gwangju Military Airport to Muan County, which incite regional conflicts and divisions, continue any longer, the 100,000 residents will no longer stand by and will fight with all their might against the relocation of the Gwangju Military Airport to Muan County," and added, "Together with 1.9 million residents, I sincerely hope that Jeollanam-do will consider what is best for the development of Jeonnam and its residents from the perspective of the people and fulfill its role."

Muan = Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo ohj1358@asiae.co.kr