South Korea finalizes Muan County for
A government committee has finalized Muan County as the new site for the Gwangju Air Base, a move to accelerate an 800 trillion-won semiconductor cluster
A South Korean government committee has finalized the designation of Muan County as the relocation site for the Gwangju Air Base. The decision, announced by the defense ministry-led committee on August 28, 2026, is intended to accelerate the development of a major semiconductor and artificial intelligence cluster in the region.
According to a ministry release, the finalization puts the base relocation project "into full motion." It clears the way for the government to push forward with an 800 trillion-won (US$582.9 billion) industrial project involving Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The Gwangju Air Base, home to the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, currently shares runways with a civilian airport.
Relocation Plan and Local Conditions
The government first selected Muan as the candidate site in April. The plan calls for the civilian airport's commercial operations to move to Muan International Airport ahead of the military units. Muan County has welcomed the decision but attached key conditions for securing residents' trust, which had been eroded by concerns over noise and safety.
In a press release, the county stated that prior relocation of the civilian airport, concrete implementation of a "1 trillion-won-plus" comprehensive support package, and substantial central government incentives must be formally documented and implemented. The defense ministry pledged to flesh out this support package for the county's development.
Temporary Deployment and Concerns
Under the plan, the 1st Fighter Wing's key training squadrons will be temporarily dispersed to three other bases by mid-2028, following a directive from President Lee Jae Myung. The government aims to complete construction of the new permanent air base in Muan by late 2032, meaning units could be in temporary facilities for at least four years.
This temporary setup has raised concerns. A local media report cited an Air Force document submitted to an opposition lawmaker, stating that temporary hangars at two Chungcheong bases will lack ballistic missile shielding. Offices for personnel would be built in "modular" structures without chemical and biological protection.
The defense ministry responded that the temporary plan maximizes existing infrastructure, with new structures built only when necessary. It stated it is working with the Air Force to minimize disruptions to defense readiness and pilot training.
International Coordination and Next Steps
The relocation also requires coordination with the United States military. The Gwangju Air Base operates as a collocated operating base for U.S. Air Force assets under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement. The defense ministry said it is working closely with U.S. Forces Korea to ensure an early return of the land provided to them.
With the site finalized, the government will now launch a joint commission with municipal governments to proceed with detailed plans. The ministry emphasized cooperation with relevant agencies for a swift process.
