Candidate Kim Taeseong: Resolving Conflicts Over the Integration and Relocation of Civil and Military Airports Is Necessary

The Right of Residents to Know Must Be Guaranteed Through Candidate TV Debates and More

Kim Tae-seong, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for the Yeongam-Muan-Shinan region, expressed on the morning of the 13th the necessity of the integrated relocation of Gwangju civilian and military airports and emphasized that a ‘public forum’ should be opened to fully gather the opinions of local residents.

Candidate Kim stated, “Since the issue of airport integration and relocation has long been a cause of conflict within the local community, a healthy debate forum involving a majority of residents must be held to resolve this issue transparently,” and proposed a TV debate among the National Assembly candidates.

Kim Tae-seong, a preliminary candidate, is holding a press conference on practical pledges on the 22nd of last month. [Photo provided by Kim Tae-seong Preliminary Candidate Office]

He also argued, “Above all, it is unfair that the mainstream local political circles and some civic groups blindly oppose the relocation, thereby hindering regional development, despite the fact that the integrated relocation of the airport can create enormous economic effects and growth engines through revitalizing the local economy.”

He further pointed out the current situation, saying, “Although local public opinion shows more support than opposition for the airport relocation, a huge budget from local governments is being spent on promotional activities that only highlight the damages caused by the relocation, distorting the public opinion of local residents toward opposition.”

According to the statistics from the ‘1st Public Opinion Survey for the 22nd General Election in Jeonnam Region’ commissioned by Yeosu-Mokpo MBC to Korea Research on the 1st of last month, regarding the ‘approval or disapproval of relocating Gwangju military airport and Muan airport,’ 70% of Yeongam County residents agreed with the relocation, and 63% of Shinan County residents also agreed.

In Muan, opinions were evenly split at 48% to 49% (with 4% no response), but comprehensive opinions by gender, age, and occupation showed that the majority supported the relocation (58%), overwhelmingly higher than those opposed (33%).

Yeosu·Mokpo MBC commissioned Korea Research opinion poll results [Photo by Kim Taesung, preliminary candidate's office]

Meanwhile, on April 25 of last year, the ‘Special Act on the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport and Development of the Former Site’ (abbreviated as the Gwangju Military Airport Relocation Act), jointly promoted by Jeollanam-do and Gwangju City, was enacted, and detailed provisions regarding national support for damages caused by airport development were also disclosed.

Preliminary candidate Kim Tae-seong stated, “Referring to the case of noise damage compensation payments in Gwangju City, if the 300,000-pyeong area around the airport is used for a solar power generation project and profits are distributed, it is estimated that all residents, directly and indirectly affected, will receive compensation and dividends of more than 500,000 won per person quarterly.”

Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City have already announced comprehensive plans under this special act for the southwestern region, including regional development projects, customized local projects, construction of a new city with self-sufficient functions, special support funds for relocation settlement, and installation of exclusive sales outlets for agricultural, livestock, and marine products from the host area, aiming to create a future industrial hub city.

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