Muan County Council Urges Opposition to Moving Gwangju Military Airport to Muan

Published 05 Dec.2023 13:41(KST)

"We will respond firmly to any dialogue or actions regarding the relocation of the military airport to Muan"

The Muan County Council in Jeollanam-do condemned the irrational behaviors of Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do Province on the 5th and urged the airport relocation to be switched to a public contest method.

On the same day at 1:30 p.m., the Muan County Council held a press conference in the main assembly hall, claiming, "Since the issue of relocating Gwangju Military Airport arose, we have always responded calmly despite facing the extreme reality of threats to our livelihood."

In a statement, the council explained, "We did not stand by idly against Gwangju City's unilateral and principle-less move to relocate Gwangju Military Airport to Muan, and everyone came out to the square to raise their voices in unison against the unfairness of Jeollanam-do's continued irrational behavior."

They also stated, "We have consistently demanded that the military airport relocation be switched to a public contest method as a reasonable measure so that the airport can move to a region that desires it."

The council members criticized, "Our cries have always been firm, but nothing has changed. Gwangju City, in order to gain development profits through the military airport relocation, is trying to move the military airport to Jeollanam-do by enacting a special law, as it is unclear how to resolve the issue within the existing legal framework."

Members of the Muan County Council are condemning the irrational actions of Jeonnam Province in the plenary session and urging the conversion of the military airport relocation to a public contest method.
[Photo by Oh Hwanju]

They added, "Jeollanam-do unilaterally notified that it would promote a tripartite meeting with Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung and Muan County Governor to resolve the Gwangju Military Airport relocation issue, and if that fails, it will prioritize a meeting with Mayor Kang Gi-jung. They have threatened our residents and are increasing pressure by pushing for dialogue with the provincial residents, whose intentions are unclear."

On the 28th of last month, Seo Sam-seok, a member of the National Assembly representing Muan County, reaffirmed that "since the military airport is a national strategic asset, it should be reviewed at the Ministry of National Defense level," confirming once again that the relocation of the military airport is an exclusive task of the Ministry of National Defense. Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik clearly stated the limitations of discussions between the two local government heads, saying, "If the relocation area opposes it, it is practically difficult to proceed."

They expressed regret, saying, "We are confident that the two-party talks and dialogue with residents, whenever they occur, will be no different from before. As in the 2018 agreement, they will hide the agreement behind their backs and try to divide the residents of Jeollanam-do with sweet words while hiding behind the media."

They raised their voices, demanding, "We urge the immediate cessation of the scheme to relocate Gwangju Military Airport, which seriously infringes on the self-determination rights of Muan residents, and the prompt switch to a public contest method."

Furthermore, they earnestly appealed, "We sincerely call on the residents of Mokpo, Sinan, Hampyeong, and Yeongam, adjacent to Muan. Civil aircraft have air routes, but fighter jets do not. We want to tell you that you cannot escape noise pollution either. Please abandon the complacent thought that this is not your local issue and join the opposition to the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan."

Lee Ho-seong, chairman of the Muan County Council’s Special Committee Against the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport to Muan, said, "Going forward, the Muan County Council will respect the will of the 100,000 Muan residents and act together with the residents until the end. We will firmly respond to any talks or actions attempting to scheme the relocation of the military airport to Muan."