Discussion on Future Regional Development Plans for Seonamgwon
Consultations on Military Airport Relocation Issue Still Pending
Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and Muan County Governor Kim San put their heads together to jointly work on revitalizing Muan International Airport in line with the second phase opening of the Honam High-Speed Railway (KTX).
According to Jeonnam Province on the 22nd, Governor Kim and Governor Kim held their first meeting the previous afternoon to discuss the activation of Muan International Airport, agreeing to form and operate an airport revitalization council, and to discuss future regional development plans for the southwestern area including Muan.
Jeonnam Provincial Government Office Exterior View
They expressed deep regret over Gwangju Metropolitan City's disregard of Muan County in the unilateral promotion of issues related to the relocation of Gwangju's civilian and military airports, urging the prompt relocation of the civilian airport as stipulated in the ‘Muan International Airport Revitalization Agreement’ signed in August 2018.
They also agreed to operate a working-level task force to discuss the activation of Muan International Airport and the relocation of Gwangju Airport.
Furthermore, Jeonnam Province and Muan County, together with related local governments, will actively identify ‘Southwestern Region Linked Area Development Projects’ connected to the airport and form and operate the airport revitalization council.
They also pledged to jointly work on the ‘Muan Future Regional Development Vision’ project to strengthen the status of the provincial government seat.
In particular, they mutually agreed that the next five years represent the ‘last golden time’ for the activation of Muan International Airport as a key gateway airport for the southwestern region, and committed to closely cooperate by establishing concrete strategies for the agreed matters going forward.
However, Governor Kim San stated that while he is willing to meet with Governor Kim Young-rok anytime, he refused a tripartite meeting with the Mayor of Gwangju due to significant unilateral actions and differences in perception by Gwangju City.
It is reported that there has been no further progress in discussions regarding the relocation of Gwangju military airport due to Governor Kim San’s opposition.
Since the relocation of Gwangju military airport involves Gwangju City and Muan County as the main parties, and the will of Muan residents is paramount, Jeonnam Province plans to faithfully act as a mediator going forward.
A Jeonnam Province official said, “There have been many ups and downs in revitalizing Muan International Airport, including the airport relocation, and we have been pooling wisdom and efforts to resolve these issues. We will do our best to cooperate with Muan County to achieve visible results.”
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