Why Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry Actively Supports Military Airport Relocation

"Promoting Military Airport Relocation Project as a National Initiative"
Petition Delivered to the Presidential Office, Ministry of Land, and Political Circles
Positive Economic Sector Feedback as Local Government Dependence Ends

Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry building. [Photo by Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chairman Hansangwon) announced on the 16th that it has delivered a petition urging the revision of the 'Special Act on the Relocation of Gwangju Military Airport,' which calls for the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport, the biggest issue in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, to be promoted as a state-led project, to the Presidential Office, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of National Defense, and various political parties.

Through this petition, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce pointed out, "Muan Airport ranked 7th out of 8 international airports nationwide in terms of international passenger usage in 2023, with a utilization rate of only 0.3%, and recorded a deficit of 20.2 billion KRW in 2022, resulting in a significant expansion of national financial losses."

It added, "Since Muan Airport has failed to function as a hub airport in the southwestern region, local passengers have been diverting to other airports such as Incheon and Gimhae, causing an annual loss of 240.8 billion KRW in travel time and 314.8 billion KRW in costs, amounting to a total annual loss of 555.6 billion KRW."

In short, the failure of Muan International Airport to perform its intended role has caused astronomical losses to local residents and the regional economy, estimated at approximately 11.1 trillion KRW as of 2020, making the resolution of the military airport issue a top priority that requires urgent solutions. This situation clearly forms the background of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce's petition.

In particular, Chairman Hansangwon, who has been in office for over six months, has been actively addressing the issue of relocating Gwangju Military Airport regardless of time and place, which is interpreted as stemming from this urgency.

The position that the state should take the lead in relocating Gwangju Military Airport, which has been at a standstill for over a decade, is therefore positive. The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce, representing the business community, stepping forward with a petition and direct involvement, breaking away from the previous stance of relying solely on government and local governments for resolution, is seen as a good signal.

Especially, the support measures proposed in this petition, including the creation of an industrial complex that can maximize job creation on the current site, along with plans for the relocation area such as noise buffer zones, solar power generation complexes, airport city development, and aviation MRO industrial complexes, add a certain level of persuasiveness.

A representative of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce stated, "As a result of repeated unproductive debates, the disadvantages have outweighed the benefits, so it is time for the relevant local governments to actively take the initiative rather than further delaying the relocation," and added, "We all must participate in persuading the government."