Jeonnam Province to Pursue Integration and Relocation of Gwangju Civil and Military Airports as an Urgent Task of the Times

Groundbreaking National-Level Support... Muan County’s Demands Take Top Priority
Governor Kim Youngrok: "The Last Chance to Revitalize Muan International Airport"

Gwangju Civil-Military Airport Integration Relocation Notice. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On October 6, Jeonnam Province announced its plan to strongly pursue the integration and relocation of Gwangju’s civil and military airports to Muan International Airport, defining it as an "urgent task of the times" that can no longer be postponed in order to achieve mutual prosperity among Jeonnam, Gwangju, and Muan, as well as to fulfill the long-held wishes of local residents.

Muan International Airport opened in 2007 as the gateway airport for the southwestern region. However, with Gwangju Airport remaining just 40 kilometers away, domestic flight connections were severed and passengers became dispersed, leaving Muan as a "half airport" serving only international flights. The national plan to relocate Gwangju Civil Airport to Muan International Airport had also been stalled for a long time due to the unresolved issue of relocating the military airport.

Jeonnam Province has proposed the integrated relocation of Gwangju’s civil and military airports as a practical solution to revitalize Muan International Airport.

In May 2023, Jeonnam Province issued the "Muan International Airport Revitalization Statement," appealing for the justification of the integrated relocation and for Muan County’s broad acceptance. In December of the same year, the province announced the "Muan Future Development Vision" worth 3 trillion won, continuing efforts to persuade residents and facilitate public discussion.

Additionally, in cooperation with the central government, Jeonnam Province is focusing all efforts on upgrading airport infrastructure to help Muan International Airport become the gateway to Northeast Asia. These efforts include extending the runway to accommodate flights to the Americas and Europe, expanding the passenger terminal, supporting regular routes, implementing a visa-free entry system, and promoting the opening of the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (KTX), the only airport stop in the country.

Along with these efforts, the discussion on the integrated relocation of Gwangju’s civil and military airports has recently reached a significant turning point. At the Gwangju-Jeonnam Town Hall Meeting held in June, President Lee Jaemyung emphasized that "the relocation of the military airport is a national task that the government must take responsibility for and resolve." He also instructed the formation of a six-party consultative task force (TF) led by the Presidential Office, signaling a commitment to a government-led solution and opening a new breakthrough in the previously stalled integration issue.

According to a recent public opinion survey on the "integrated relocation of Gwangju’s civil and military airports," 53.3% of Muan County residents expressed support for the integration, marking the first time that approval has surpassed the majority. This progress is seen as a reflection of residents’ hopes for attracting new industries and improving local economic power, as well as the President’s expressed commitment to a government-led initiative.

Jeonnam Province has laid the groundwork for administrative and financial support from the government by continuously proposing solutions to the Gwangju civil and military airport issue since President Lee Jaemyung’s candidacy, resulting in its inclusion in the new government’s national agenda. The province has also conducted various promotional activities-such as resident interviews, meetings, forums, and media outreach-to build public acceptance, which has contributed to a positive shift in perceptions.

Recently, through a provincial statement, Jeonnam Province emphasized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop Muan International Airport into the central airport of the southwestern region and for Muan County to leap forward as a hub for future development and innovation. The province pledged to prioritize the voices of Muan County and its residents, urging Muan County to actively participate in dialogue.

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, reiterated his firm commitment to the integrated relocation, stating, "Since President Lee Jaemyung is personally overseeing this with the intention to 'repay the debt owed by the Democratic Party to Honam,' I believe this is the last golden opportunity to revitalize Muan International Airport and create a future growth engine for Muan, Jeonnam, and Gwangju."

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province plans to seek cooperation from the government and Gwangju City to ensure that the three conditions presented by Muan County-relocating Gwangju Civil Airport to Muan International Airport before the completion of the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway (KTX), guaranteeing 1 trillion won in support from Gwangju City, and establishing groundbreaking government-level support measures-are given top priority in discussions within the six-party task force. The province will also continue various promotional activities to build public consensus among residents.