The 3rd Briefing Session on Gwangju Military Airport Relocation Held with Great Success in Hampyeong, Jeonnam

County Governor Sang-ik Lee: "If the residents refuse, we cannot force it"

Over 500 attendees at Gwangju Hampyeong administrative integration meeting; questions raised about opposition opinion collection methods

In Hampyeong, Jeollanam-do, a third residents' briefing session was held to weigh the pros and cons of the Gwangju Military Airport relocation project, drawing attention to the results.

On the 16th, Hampyeong County held an explanatory meeting on the Gwangju Military Airport relocation project at the Hampyeong County Sports Center for about 500 people, including village chiefs and block leaders.

This briefing session was the third, following those held on November 25 last year and February 8 this year.

The county plans to hold an additional briefing session on the 17th for five agricultural organizations related to Hampyeong County.

Hampyeong-gun Airport Relocation Resident Briefing Session
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

The briefing session was jointly hosted by Gwangju City, the Ministry of National Defense, and Hampyeong County.

The session proceeded in the order of an explanation by Kim Yong-jin, the interim co-chairman of the Military Airport Attraction Committee, on the intention to submit a letter of intent for the preliminary candidate site, an explanation of the Gwangju Military Airport relocation project by the Ministry of National Defense, an explanation of the military airport relocation area support project by Gwangju City, an explanation of the military airport relocation project response plan by Hampyeong County, and a Q&A session.

Kim Kwang-jin, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju City, expressed hope for the attraction, saying, “If the military airport is relocated to Hampyeong County, I hope a foundation will be established for Hampyeong and Gwangju to grow together through maximum support.”

The Attraction Committee explained the benefits, stating, “Instead of population decline, inflow will begin,” “The annual floating population will reach tens of thousands due to soldiers' lodging and leave, revitalizing the local economy, and farmers and fishermen will have new sales channels through military base meal supplies.”

They also emphasized, “If the Gwangju civilian airport is also attracted to the military airport, the benefits will increase tremendously,” and “Having an airport means establishing conditions to grow as a key local government in the future Gwangju and Jeollanam-do.”

Currently, Hampyeong is conducting attraction activities mainly led by civic groups.

Residents in favor of the attraction argue that if the Gwangju Military Airport is relocated to the neighboring Muan, they would suffer noise damage without receiving any incentives, so it is better to attract the military airport to Hampyeong.

On the other hand, farmers' organizations in the Hampyeong area clearly expressed opposition by distributing placards and leaflets at the briefing session venue.

They expressed concerns that property rights would be infringed due to land price declines and decreases in the value of agricultural and marine products caused by fighter jet noise, leading to a decrease in tourists, collapse of the livestock production base, and population decline.

From Hampyeong County's perspective, attracting the military airport is being considered as an alternative to escape from population extinction areas.

As of the end of February, Hampyeong County's population is only 30,770, and considering an annual population decline rate of 2-3%, the collapse of the 30,000 population level is regarded as a foregone conclusion.

However, if the Gwangju Military Airport is relocated, about 2,800 stationed soldiers and their families will immediately move in.

There were also counterarguments to the expected population inflow presented by the Attraction Committee.

One attendee expressed concern, saying, “Young people will practically commute to and from Gwangju,” and “Although the population will statistically increase, an autonomous district unrelated to the original residents may be created.”

Considering this atmosphere, Hampyeong County currently plans to transparently convey the situation related to the military airport relocation project and leave the decision on attracting the military airport to the judgment of the residents through public hearings, briefing sessions, and opinion polls.

County Governor Lee Sang-ik said, “I hope the military airport relocation briefing session becomes a place where each resident clearly expresses their opinion,” and “We will listen carefully to residents' opinions and decide whether to apply for the military airport attraction based on their choice.”

Meanwhile, as candidate sites within the Hampyeong area, the reclaimed land area in Sonbul-myeon was initially mentioned but excluded due to overlapping flight safety distances with Muan Airport. Instead, mountainous areas in Wolya-myeon, Nasan-myeon, and Haebo-myeon are being considered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.