GWANGJU — Talks on relocating the Gwangju military air base, a key hurdle for building a semiconductor industrial complex in the Honam region, are picking up pace again, but a new variable has emerged. The Ministry of National Defense is expected to soon convene the site selection committee for the base's relocation to designate an area in Mangun-myeon, Muan County, as a candidate site — a process that is accelerating, but one that is drawing anticipated backlash from the neighboring Shinan County.
According to the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and other sources on the 25th, discussions on relocating the Gwangju air base — tied to the creation of a Honam semiconductor cluster that had long failed to find common ground — are heating up again. The Integrated Special City and Muan County recently launched a task force and began discussions on various support projects, including the three preconditions demanded by Muan County.
Notably, Muan County Mayor Kim San, who had skipped the two previous selection committee meetings, will attend the session scheduled for the 28th. The day before, Mayor Kim also attended the launch ceremony of the Citizens' Committee to Promote the Honam Semiconductor Cluster, where he expressed a commitment to cooperate for the successful establishment of the region's semiconductor industry and the building of an advanced-industry base in Muan.
While the relocation of the Gwangju air base is thus gaining momentum, opposition is stirring in Shinan County. It is one obstacle after another.
The Shinan County Council opened its 337th extraordinary session on the same day and reviewed and passed the "Ordinance on Support for Responding to the Military Air Base Relocation in Shinan County," introduced by council member Moon Sun-woong.
"Regarding the Gwangju military air base relocation project as well, I ask the executive branch to do its utmost to prepare multifaceted and effective measures so that residents' voices can be fully reflected in the process of pursuing the project," Council Chair Lee Sang-ju said that day.
Earlier, on the 20th of this month, the Shinan County Committee on Damage from the Gwangju Air Base Relocation was officially launched and held its inaugural general meeting. Through a process of approving and establishing the committee's articles of association and electing officers, it was set up as an incorporated association serving as the single representative channel for Shinan County.
The committee also adopted a resolution stating, among other things, that "the government and relevant agencies must objectively and fairly survey Shinan County as an area affected by damage from the Gwangju military air base relocation, include it among the affected surrounding areas, and prepare substantive measures to protect residents' right to livelihood and living conditions."
Shinan County is also reported to be planning a preliminary field survey and research study on damage from noise, the environment, property rights and residents' health resulting from the air base relocation. Based on the survey results, it is expected to draw up a comprehensive response plan to prevent resident damage and provide relief.
