Gwangju Air Base Training Flights Eyed for Phased Relocation

As the South Korean government pushes forward with plans to establish a semiconductor industrial complex on the site of the Gwangju military airport, a debate has emerged regarding the phased dispersal of the airport's functions. The current plan involves a "donation for exchange" method, where the integrated Muan-Gwangju Special City would build a new military airport in Muan and transfer it to the Ministry of National Defense in exchange for the Gwangju airport land. However, this approach is seen as too slow for the government's desired pace.

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How quickly can the training needs at the Gwangju military airport be dispersed to other air force bases? If we devise a dispersal plan with the Air Force, we can use this period without waiting for the new airport to be built in Muan.

Kim Yong-beom, Senior Secretary to the President for Policy, suggested on YTN radio that the training operations of the 1st Fighter Wing could be relocated to other air force bases. This "dissipation" plan would allow the Gwangju airport land to be utilized sooner, even before the new airport in Muan is completed. The 1st Fighter Wing primarily conducts advanced flight training using T-50 trainers, following the retirement of F-5A/B supersonic fighters in 2005. It comprises three squadrons, including two flight training squadrons.

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If only the airport is relocated or the planes are dispersed to other airports, the land can be used.

Relocating these training squadrons to existing military airfields in Seosan, Yecheon, Sacheon, Gunsan, and Chuncheon is a viable option. The impact on national defense readiness would be minimal, as the wing's primary role is pilot training rather than combat missions. A Ministry of National Defense spokesperson stated that they are exploring various options to vacate the Gwangju military airport site quickly without creating security gaps, though specific plans for temporary relocation have not yet been finalized.

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We plan to explore various ways to quickly vacate the site of the Gwangju military airport without compromising security, but specific plans for temporary relocation have not yet been decided.

Mayor Min Hyung-bae of the Muan-Gwangju Special City also acknowledged the possibility of phased dispersal, suggesting that operations could commence even before the airport relocation is fully resolved, as long as flight training issues are addressed. The Muan County, which had previously been hesitant about the airport relocation, expressed its hope for a swift and mutually beneficial progression of the project, aligning with the national development initiative.

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If the Air Force training issue is resolved, we can start regardless of the military airport relocation.