EXPLAINER Why Gwangju, Muan clash over airport relocation

A training aircraft from the Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing lands at Gwangju Airport in this April 13, 2023, photo. Yonhap

A long-running controversy surrounding the relocation of Gwangju’s dual-use airport to Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province is back in the spotlight following President Lee Jae Myung’s directive to set up a task force to study the plan.

The relocation plan, initially proposed in 2007, calls on the civilian and military functions of Gwangju Airport to be transferred to Muan, and the Gwangju site to be used for other purposes. In a 2018 feasibility study, the Ministry of National Defense identified Muan as the optimal site.

However, the plan has been delayed for over a decade due to conflicting interests between residents of the two regions and a breakdown in trust.

Gwangju Airport is currently located in the city center and used for both military and civilian operations. It has long been the source of noise complaints and safety concerns due to its proximity to densely populated neighborhoods.

As a result, residents of Gwangju have sought to move the airport’s functions to Muan, situated roughly 50 kilometers away. Currently, only domestic flights operate at Gwangju Airport, as international operations were transferred to Muan in 2008. Expansion of the Muan airport is hoped to increase air traffic routes and improve operational efficiency in the southwestern region.

Gwangju citizens argue that moving the airport will improve residents’ quality of life and free up valuable land for urban development, such as hosting advanced industrial complexes, research hubs and new residential zones. Mayor Kang Gi-jung said the relocation would be a “historic opportunity” for Gwangju and the region.

The plan, however, has drawn opposition from Muan residents, who are also concerned about an increase in noise levels. As a result, Muan officials have agreed only to the relocation of Gwangju’s civilian airport function, not the military one, as military aircrafts make more noise.

But Kang countered that the noise impact would be far less severe in Muan than in Gwangju’s densely populated downtown areas.

A study by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology suggests that the noise from the expanded airport in Muan would affect just a radius of 19 square kilometers — approximately 4.2 percent of Muan County’s total area. It suggests that targeted compensation and thorough consultation with residents in the affected zone may be a more effective way of resolving the conflict.

In an attempt to resolve the yearslong standoff, the president on Wednesday announced the government would form a six-party task force comprising Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, Muan County, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

“The central government must take responsibility for solving this,” Lee said during a town hall meeting with Gwangju and South Jeolla Province residents. “It is time to move beyond endless debates.”

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with Gwangju and South Jeolla Province residents at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, Wednesday. Yonhap

In response to the president’s initiative, the mayor of Gwangju reiterated the city’s offer of 1 trillion won ($732 million) in development aid to Muan. Under this scheme, Gwangju would redevelop the current airport site and use the proceeds from the project to support infrastructure and development in Muan. “Gwangju is willing to lead and take responsibility. We propose a win-win model,” Kang said.

However, officials in Muan County remain unconvinced. The county head, Kim San, rejected the 1 trillion won offer, citing deep-rooted distrust between the two municipalities over the issue and demanding state-led compensation.

“What we need is not a promise from Gwangju, but a commitment from the central government,” he said. “Only then can we even begin a proper discussion.”

Lee acknowledged the complexity of the issue, suggesting that the task force could explore various mechanisms. These could include forming a special-purpose company, which would prioritize Muan in revenue sharing from any new developments. He also pledged full transparency in technical assessments such as noise impact studies, and promised to consult widely with local stakeholders.

South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yung-rok has urged both sides to find common ground. “Our aim is to reach a basic agreement within the year, but trust-building must come first,” he said during a recent press conference at the county office on Friday.