Jeon Nam-do Assemblyman Na Gwang-guk: "Jeon Nam-do Province Must Immediately Stop Public Opinion Manipulation"

Published 17 Apr.2023 13:33(KST)

Distortion of Public Opinion on Military Airport Through Political Manipulation Crosses the Line

Provincial Government Officials Systematically Identify Supporters of Military Airport Relocation to Muan

Recently, as Governor Kim Young-rok continues to make remarks seemingly supporting the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan, suspicions have arisen that the Jeonnam Provincial Office is identifying supporters of the military airport relocation, causing a stir.

In response, Na Gwang-guk, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Muan 2, Democratic Party), urged the immediate cessation of the Jeonnam Provincial Office's public opinion work related to the military airport during a 5-minute free speech at the 370th extraordinary session plenary meeting on the 14th.

Jeon Nam-do Councilor Na Gwang-guk is urging the immediate cessation of public opinion manipulation related to the military airport at Jeonnam Provincial Office through a 5-minute free speech at the 370th extraordinary session plenary meeting.
[Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Council]

Assemblyman Na stated, "This matter is too organized and extensive in scope to be simply a trend survey or public opinion analysis," adding, "Muan County officials contacted by the higher authority, Jeonnam Province, are concerned about potential disadvantages, and Muan residents are puzzled by the intent to identify supporters, fearing that the public opinion opposing the military airport relocation might be distorted."

He also explained, "The identification of supporters conducted alongside Jeonnam Province's welcoming statement issued immediately after the passage of the 'Special Act on the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport' is fostering division and conflict among Muan residents," and "On the 28th of last month, Muan County councilors held a head-shaving protest, and on the 7th, over 1,500 people gathered in a rally, clearly expressing Muan residents' opposition to the military airport relocation."

Furthermore, he pointed out, "If the military airport is relocated to Muan, the activation of Muan Airport promoted by Jeonnam Province will become impossible."

He lamented, "With the opening of Muan Airport Station, the first in the nation where the KTX stops directly at the airport, and the completion of the runway extension construction, Muan Airport will be able to operate routes to the Americas and Europe, becoming the largest airport in the southern region accommodating air traffic demand from the Chungcheong and Yeongnam areas," adding, "However, if the military airport is relocated and the integrated control is led by the Air Force, such hopes will be dashed."

He continued, "Recently, efforts to attract foreign tourists, even at the cost of losing Southeast Asian tourists, by investing budget to establish regular routes at Muan Airport, and the current public opinion work to identify supporters of the military airport relocation, represent the height of contradiction."

Assemblyman Na Gwang-guk concluded his remarks by saying, "The Jeonnam Provincial Office should handle the military airport relocation issue from the perspective of the residents and resolve the issue in the direction desired by the residents," and "Please allow the military airport to be relocated to a region that wishes to receive it, in accordance with the intent of the donation-for-transfer directive."