Muan-gun, Opposition to Military Airport Relocation Intensifies Amid Governor Kim Young-rok's Actions

Over 1,500 Residents Protest in Muan Eumnae Streets... Even Mourning Clothes Appear

Strong Condemnation of Governor Kim Young-rok Pushing One-Way Traffic

The Gwangju Combat Airfield Muan Relocation Opposition Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Pan-Committee) held a temporary general meeting and rally at 10 a.m. on the 8th.

The rally was held in response to the residents' opposition to Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeollanam-do unilaterally pushing forward the integrated civilian-military relocation to Muan.

Kim San, the governor of Muan County, is holding up the Muan International Airport revitalization agreement signed in 2018 with Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do.
[Photo by Muan County]

About 1,500 residents participated in the rally. During the first part of the temporary general meeting, there was a progress report on the Pan-Committee's activities and a military airport awareness education session by instructor Yeo In-du.

The second part, the rally, included condemnation speeches by former provincial council member Ko Song-ja and Muan County Council Special Committee Chair Lee Ho-seong, street protests, and the reading of a resolution.

In his greeting, Park Moon-jae, the Pan-Committee's co-chairman, strongly criticized Governor Kim Young-rok's actions, saying, "The will of Muan residents is being ignored, and the relocation to Muan County is being forced unilaterally, demanding only the sacrifice of the residents."

Former provincial council member Ko Song-ja and Muan County Council Special Committee Chair Lee Ho-seong emphasized in their condemnation speeches, "Jeollanam-do is infringing on Muan County's autonomy by stepping in for Gwangju City's long-cherished project," and stressed, "If the Gwangju Combat Airfield leads to population growth and regional development with minimal noise damage, it is best to leave it as is."

Residents of Muan County are holding placards and shouting in strong opposition to the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan.
[Photo by Muan County]

Through the announcement of the resolution, the Pan-Committee urged, "Immediately halt the relocation of the Gwangju Combat Airfield, which infringes on the survival rights and pursuit of happiness of Muan residents, ignores their will, and is being pushed forward hastily," and raised their voices, saying, "We will never tolerate any actions that incite conflict and division among the 100,000 residents of Muan."

Meanwhile, Muan residents have been protesting in front of the provincial government office for 110 days since April 19, and opposition sentiment is growing stronger as they conduct morning opposition campaigns during commuting hours by region and hang banners opposing the relocation of the Gwangju military airport to Muan in each village, opposing Jeollanam-do's unilateral push.

Muan = Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo just8440@asiae.co.kr

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