무안군, 광주특별시 군공항 이전 후보지로…이르면 올해 안에 최종 결정

Muan-gun, a county in the special city of Gwangju, has been designated as a candidate area for the relocation of the Gwangju special city military airport. This development has heightened the interest of residents in the schedule of events. Upon combining the statement from the special city of Gwangju and the Military Airport Relocation Act, it is understood that after the selection of a candidate area for the airport relocation, the Defense Minister and the governor of the provincial government will review the support plan for the relocation project through the review committee.

Following this, the Defense Minister will request a resident vote from the local government of the candidate area (Muan-gun) and submit the results of the resident vote. The Defense Minister will then convene a meeting to determine the final location for the airport relocation, which is expected to be decided within this year.

In response to this news, the government released a press release after announcing the candidate area for relocation, stating their commitment to establishing a support plan for the surrounding area and incorporating the resident vote results into the final determination of the relocation site. The government has formed a committee on the airport relocation project, led by the Vice Minister of the Interior, which will provide 1 trillion won in support and additional support options at the national level based on the consensus reached in the 12th consultation body (Defense Ministry, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Ministry of Land, Transport and Tourism, Jeollanam-do, Gwangju City, and Muan-gun) last year.

The military airport relocation conditions required by Muan-gun include a shift to civilian airports first, 1 trillion won in support, and the designation of a national industrial zone.

Muan-gun's Governor, Kim San, expressed gratitude towards the government and the special city of Gwangju for their efforts in fulfilling the 6-part joint statement and region-wide benefit during the past years. He urged for the practical implementation of the three major conditions for the airport relocation. Kim San also stated that the recognition of fulfilling these conditions and their official declaration would serve as the minimal trust needed in future resident persuasion and voting processes.

Governor Kim San pledged to work closely with the government and the special city of Gwangju, ensuring that the region receives tangible benefits in the form of practical outcomes.

Gwangju special city airport relocation discussions have been circulating since 2007 when Muan International Airport began operations. The 'Military Airport Relocation and Support Special Act' was enacted in 2013, which marked the beginning of the process. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation included the relocation of Muan Airport into the integrated development plan of Gwangju Airport in their 2021-2025 aviation development plan.

However, due to the concerns over fighter jet noise, Muan-gun has long opposed the relocation proposal.