Gwangju City to Announce Progress on Civil-Military Integrated Airport Relocation

First Briefing Session for Citizens in Gwangsan-gu
To Enhance Citizen Understanding and Interest
Mayor Kang: "Now Is the Golden Time for Airport Relocation"

On the 9th, Gwangju City held a 'Integrated Airport Relocation Project Resident Briefing' at Gwangsan District Office and began persuading Gwangju citizens.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

Gwangju City appears to be actively persuading its citizens this time, following a residents' briefing session held for the residents of Muan County, the candidate site for the relocation of the civilian-military airport.

Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Gi-jung) held a 'Civilian-Military Integrated Airport Relocation Project Residents' Briefing Session' on the 9th at Yunsangwon Hall in Gwangsan District Office, attended by about 300 people including Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Park Byung-gyu, head of Gwangsan District Office, city council members Park Pil-soon and Choi Ji-hyun, local district council members, and residents.

This is the first time that Gwangju City has held a briefing session related to the civilian-military integrated airport relocation targeting Gwangju citizens.

The briefing session, jointly prepared by Gwangsan District and Seo District, which are areas related to the military airport relocation, was organized to increase Gwangju citizens' understanding and interest in the relocation project and to garner support and cooperation, according to Gwangju City.

The briefing session proceeded with explanations about the method and progress of the civilian-military integrated airport relocation project, followed by a dialogue with residents.

Gwangju City shared the necessity of relocating the integrated airport for the mutual development of Gwangju and Jeonnam, achievements such as the passage of the Military Airport Special Act, and future plans.

Mayor Kang addressed citizens' questions on-site to resolve their concerns.

When a citizen asked, "The integrated relocation of the civilian-military airport will incur significant costs; can Gwangju City bear this?" he explained, "The Military Airport Special Act, passed last year together with Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, allows the government to provide budget support for any funding shortfalls during the military airport relocation." He also mentioned that Muan International Airport is the only airport nationwide connected to the Korea Train Express (KTX), and emphasized the necessity of its advancement as a gateway airport for the southwestern region to foster jobs and industries.

Gwangju City explained the progress of measures such as noise countermeasure discussions targeting Muan County residents, Mayor Kang Gi-jung’s delivery of a ‘Letter of Promise,’ three briefing sessions held in Muan County, tripartite talks among Gwangju City, Jeonnam Province, and Muan County, public-private-government meetings, and promotional activities by Gwangju city officials.

In particular, attendees agreed that this year is the golden time for the civilian-military integrated airport relocation, as specific construction schedules for Muan International Airport and competing airports such as Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport and Saemangeum Airport have been announced, accelerating progress. They pledged to unite their efforts for the relocation.

Park Byung-gyu, head of Gwangsan District Office, said, "The large turnout at the briefing session clearly shows the level of interest in the civilian-military integrated airport relocation," adding, "The relocation is not a matter of some areas suffering losses while others gain benefits, but a necessary step for the mutual development of Gwangju and Jeonnam."

Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju stated, "For Gwangju and Jeonnam to thrive together, Muan International Airport must be elevated as the gateway airport of the southwestern region, serving as a catalyst for regional development by fostering industry and jobs," and added, "The civilian-military integrated airport relocation is the last opportunity. With the city council, the National Assembly, and citizens joining hands, we will do our utmost."

Meanwhile, Gwangju City will hold another residents' briefing session on the 12th at Daedong Hall in the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo District.