Gunsan Citizens' General Rally Held to Prevent the Relocation of Gwangju Combat Airfield to Hampyeong

Demand for the Resignation of Sang-ik Lee, Hampyeong County Governor, Who Insists on Forcing the Submission of the Letter of Intent for Kindergarten

Former Hampyeong County Governor Lee Sang-ik declared on the 8th his intention to attract the Gwangju Military Airport to Hampyeong through a statement, amid ongoing protests by residents opposing this move, causing local public sentiment to fluctuate.

The Gwangju Combat Airfield Hampyeong Relocation Opposition Pan-County Countermeasure Committee announced that on the 10th at 10 a.m., they held a protest rally in front of Hampyeong County Office with residents opposing the relocation of the Gwangju Military Airport to Hampyeong.

This rally was hosted by the “Gwangju Combat Airfield Hampyeong Relocation Opposition Pan-County Countermeasure Committee” (hereafter, the Countermeasure Committee).

Yu Won-sang, chairman of the Countermeasure Committee, stated in his opening remarks, “Governor Lee Sang-ik outwardly claims neutrality by saying he will follow the residents’ opinions, but behind the scenes, he is showing hypocrisy by mobilizing administrative power to forcibly submit a letter of intent for attraction,” adding, “If he proceeds with submitting the letter of intent, he will face the judgment of the residents.”

On the morning of the 10th at 10 a.m., residents gathered in front of Hampyeong County Office to hold a rally opposing the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Hampyeong.
[Photo by Gwangju Combat Airfield Hampyeong Relocation Opposition Pan-County Countermeasure Committee]

Jang Hyuk-hoon, policy team leader of the Countermeasure Committee, said, “Hampyeong County claims that the Air Force base will increase the population, but after several confirmations with the Hampyeong County Office Policy Department, they are making baseless and unreasonable claims without any evidence or rational research data,” and asserted, “The demand for Governor Lee Sang-ik’s resignation is too mild. We need to initiate a resident recall.”

Many residents from Nasan-myeon, Wolya-myeon, and Haebo-myeon?areas strongly considered as potential sites for the military airport?attended the rally, and the opposition voices were very strong.

Lee Young-ho, president of the Nasan Prosperity Association, said, “The military airport is just a burden that Gwangju City is trying to offload,” and added, “I cannot sympathize with Governor Lee Sang-ik’s claim that we should attract the military airport for the peaceful future of Hampyeong as the name suggests.”

Moon Yeon-sim, a parent from Nasan, also emphasized, “Governor Lee Sang-ik is trying to submit the letter of intent without actually gathering the opinions of the residents,” and stressed, “If the military airport comes to Nasan-myeon, Gwangju will be closer, so students will enroll in schools in Gwangju, and there will be little population activity within Hampyeong County. Therefore, the effect of population inflow is almost none.”

Jung Cheol-sung, general secretary of the Haebo-myeon village chiefs, condemned, “The new Air Force base is not just a base with small training aircraft from Gwangju. Large high-powered fighter jets, which we have never heard of, will be the main force, and our lives will be destroyed.”

Lee Jae-bok, chief of Wolya-myeon, criticized Governor Lee Sang-ik, saying, “He claims that submitting the letter of intent does not mean the relocation is confirmed but is for negotiation,” and warned, “Submitting the letter of intent will be the beginning of a great division among Hampyeong residents.”

Following this, residents participating in the rally gave free speeches, and after the speeches, they marched about 100 meters toward the county office, displaying a large banner reading “Resign Governor Lee Sang-ik.”

After the march, the rally participants arrived at the county office parking lot and condemned Governor Lee Sang-ik again through brief additional speeches.

Former National Assembly member Seo Kyung-won said, “Governor Lee Sang-ik is doing things in reverse order,” and added, “It is first necessary to fully understand the residents’ views, and the letter of intent should come later.”

Afterwards, the Countermeasure Committee executives delivered a protest letter to Lee Byung-yong, vice governor of Hampyeong.

It was reported that Governor Lee Sang-ik was not at the county office on that day due to a business trip.

Since Governor Lee Sang-ik’s support for attracting the military airport, voices opposing the relocation have gradually shifted to “condemn Governor Lee Sang-ik and punish those responsible.”

Hampyeong County stated that it would decide whether to submit the letter of intent based on a public opinion survey in August, but since a KBS survey conducted in April already showed overwhelming opposition, attention is focused on Hampyeong County’s subsequent actions.

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