Gwangju Military Airport Relocation "Impossible with Donation-for-Compensation"... Calls for Solutions to Financial Burden

At Least 5 Trillion Won in Losses Expected... Government Financial Support Needed
"Assuming 8 Million Won per Pyeong Is Unrealistic"

Concerns have been raised that Gwangju City's "donation-for-compensation" method, which has been promoted for the integrated relocation of the military and civilian airports, is virtually unfeasible due to structural limitations.

At a forum on the Gwangju Airport relocation project held at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, on December 9, experts and civic groups agreed that "securing alternative funding sources to minimize Gwangju City's financial burden is essential."

Pilots of the 1st Combat Flight Squadron in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, are landing after completing aerial training with combat aircraft. Provided by the 1st Combat Flight Squadron

Choi Youngtae, Professor Emeritus at Chonnam National University, stated, "The estimated loss from relocating the Gwangju military airport is at least 5 trillion won," and added, "A solution in which the government covers only part of the difference cannot fundamentally address the issue." He emphasized, "To make this feasible, the government must bear at least 5 trillion won, requiring a groundbreaking approach."

Byun Wonsup, Policy Chair of Participation Autonomy 21, pointed out, "The project structure, which is based on an unrealistic sale price of 8 million won per pyeong, imposes a tremendous burden on Gwangju City's finances," and added, "It cannot proceed if government support is only slightly increased through special legislation amendments."

Jeong Jeonguk, Head of the Gwangju City Military Airport Relocation Task Force, said, "It is difficult to cover the relocation and financing costs solely by selling the former site." He acknowledged the limitations of the donation-for-compensation method but suggested, "A realistic solution would be to develop a model that efficiently combines national, local, and private funding sources."

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