Gwangju Army 31st Infantry Division Relocation Process Begins

Buk-gu: "Study Under Deliberation"... Plans for Site Utilization Also Considered
Councilor Kim Hyungsoo Claims "Hindrance to Urban Development"

Discussions have begun regarding the relocation of the 31st Infantry Division of the Republic of Korea Army, currently stationed in Samgak-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.

According to Buk-gu on the 23rd, the district has recently initiated procedures to conduct a 'Basic Planning Study for the Relocation of the 31st Infantry Division and Utilization of the Site.'

This study will review the feasibility of relocating the military base and the development direction for the existing site if the relocation proceeds.

The 31st Infantry Division was established in February 1955 in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, and moved to its current location in April of the same year. Since then, it has served as a local division for the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. However, while the area was sparsely populated at the time, apartment complexes and other developments have been built since the 1990s, making the 31st Division site a representative obstacle to urban development.

Gwangju Bukgu District Office building exterior.

An official from Buk-gu stated, "We have currently completed an internal review and submitted the study for deliberation," adding, "This is the first time the local government is taking the initiative to prepare a plan for the relocation of a military base." The official continued, "If the deliberation committee verifies the necessity of the study next month, the process will proceed accordingly."

In relation to this, Kim Hyungsoo, a member of the Buk-gu Council, has called for discussions regarding the relocation of the 31st Division.

During a five-minute free speech at the 4th plenary session of the 299th regular meeting last month, Councilor Kim argued, "The 31st Division, located in the center of Buk-gu, is hindering balanced urban development," and claimed, "For a long time, it has damaged the residential environment of residents in the natural villages of Samgak-dong and Ochi-dong and imposed significant restrictions on the exercise of their property rights."

He further suggested, "Rather than simply waiting for the Ministry of National Defense and Gwangju City to promote the relocation of the military base, Buk-gu should take the lead and proactively prepare feasible plans for the use of the relocated site through a specialized research study."