Participation Autonomy 21: "Demanding Direct State Implementation and a Deliberative Public Forum"
Citizens' Committee: Official Statement Opposing Prior Relocation of Civilian Airport
First Six-Party Government-Local Task Force Meeting to Be Held in Gwangju on the 17th
On the day before the first meeting of the government and local government task force (TF) to discuss the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport, civic groups are ramping up pressure on Gwangju City by demanding direct implementation by the state and the temporary resumption of international flights at Gwangju Airport.
On the 16th, Participation Autonomy 21 issued a statement expressing concern that "Gwangju City might enter into an unconditional agreement," and asserted, "The relocation of Gwangju Military Airport should be directly managed by the state, and the temporary resumption of international flights at Gwangju Airport, as well as a deliberative public forum involving citizens and residents, must be demanded during the negotiation process."
The group stated, "The truth behind the 12·29 passenger plane disaster has yet to be uncovered, making the reopening of Muan Airport uncertain," and added, "Considering the demand for international flights in the Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk regions and the damage to the local tourism industry, the government must commit to the temporary resumption of international flights at Gwangju Airport during these negotiations."
They further emphasized, "The airport relocation should be addressed from the future perspective of integration and mutual growth between Gwangju and Jeonnam, and a deliberative forum for consensus is needed so that Gwangju citizens and Muan County residents can understand each other's positions." The group also stated, "As a facility critical to national security, the installation, maintenance, and relocation of the military airport is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Defense," adding, "The relocation of the military airport should not be a matter for negotiation between local governments, but must be directly managed by the state."
On the morning of the 16th, in front of Gwangju City Hall, the Citizens' Committee for the Revival of Gwangju Airport International Flights held placards opposing the transfer of the airport to private management. From the left are co-representative Bae Hooncheon and Seo District Councilor Kim Oksu.
The Citizens' Committee for the Revival of Gwangju Airport International Flights also submitted an official opinion to Gwangju City on the same day, ahead of the first meeting of the six-party TF, and expressed opposition to discussions premised on the prior relocation of the civilian airport. The committee stated, "The six-party TF is a consultative body meant to discuss the long-term issue of relocating the military airport, and does not have the authority to negotiate agreements based on the early closure of Gwangju Airport's civilian functions." They argued, "Until concrete schedules, funding plans, and site utilization plans for the complete relocation of the military airport are presented, the civilian airport functions-including both domestic and international flights-must be maintained." Additionally, they asserted that the temporary resumption of international flights at Gwangju Airport is an issue that can proceed in parallel with discussions on military airport relocation and should be pursued immediately.
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the government and local government six-party TF for the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport will be held in Gwangju on the following day, the 17th. According to Gwangju City, the meeting will be attended by representatives from Gwangju City, Jeonnam Province, Muan County, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Participants will include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, Presidential Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, and Muan County Governor Kim San.
This meeting is a follow-up to the preliminary consultation chaired by Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom on November 19. At that time, the government presented a mediation plan based on the integrated relocation of the military and civilian airports, which included building advanced industrial infrastructure such as a national industrial complex, relocating Gwangju's civilian airport to Muan in connection with the second phase opening of the Honam High-Speed Railway, and resident support projects.
Gwangju City aims to reach at least an agreement on the "direction of support" at this first TF meeting. The city plans to establish a detailed funding structure during the subsequent project implementation process.
Jeong Jeonguk, head of the Military Airport Relocation Promotion Team, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily, "Gwangju City believes that a certain level of consensus was reached during the previous preliminary meeting," and added, "We hope this meeting will take a step further toward drafting an agreement, and we will continue to request this."
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