Statement Issued by the Muan Civil-Military Airport Original Residents Countermeasures Committee
Calls for Active Engagement in Dialogue from Muan County Governor Kim San and Others
The Muan Civil-Military Airport Original Residents Countermeasure Committee issued a statement on the 25th, urging the six parties?Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do Province, Muan County, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance?to come together and discuss the future of Muan Airport. Provided by the Muan Civil-Military Airport Original Residents Countermeasure Committee
Local civic groups have raised concerns that the issue of relocating the Gwangju Civil-Military Integrated Airport to Muan should not be used as a subject of political strife.
The Muan Civil-Military Airport Original Residents Countermeasures Committee issued a statement on the 25th, saying, "Although the Muan County Governor has been late to engage in responsible dialogue regarding the relocation of the civil-military airport, now is the time to step forward. The issue of relocating the Muan Civil-Military Airport must not be further delayed or exploited as a tool for political disputes."
The committee continued, "It is time for the six parties-Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do Province, Muan County, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance-to come together and discuss the future of Muan Airport, which is a key driver for the development of the southwestern region. For Muan County to emerge as a true hub airport for the southwestern region through the relocation of the Gwangju civil and military airports, and to grow as an innovation center for Jeollanam-do, it must participate in these discussions immediately."
The statement also criticized, "There are even rumors that Muan County Governor Kim San is focusing solely on inciting residents to sign petitions in opposition, without presenting any alternatives or practical measures. This is an irresponsible act of politically exploiting the anxiety of county residents and will only serve to block the future of Muan County."
Furthermore, the committee asserted, "Muan County must promptly join the six-party task force to properly convey the voices of residents and secure tangible benefits through responsible negotiations. Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, together with the government, should urgently address the three conditions proposed by Muan County, including the relocation of Gwangju Civil Airport before the opening of the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (KTX) and ensuring 1 trillion won in support from Gwangju City."
The committee added, "Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung should clearly announce the relocation of the civil airport at the opening ceremony of the KTX Muan Airport line and faithfully fulfill the support commitments made to Muan County. President Lee Jaemyung should also provide active support to ensure that the civil-military airport relocation project, which he promised during the Gwangju town hall meeting in June, is promptly promoted as a national initiative."
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