[Interview] Bae Hooncheon, Co-Representative of the Citizens' Committee for the Revival of Gwangju Airport International Flights

Gwangju Airport Pushes Again for Temporary International Flights
"Stop Political Strife, Restore Citizens' Right to Mobility"
"A Minimum Measure to Protect Regional Mobility Rights"
"Simplified CIQ Installation Is Sufficient... The Real Issue Is

"What is needed now is not partisan disputes, but restoring the right to mobility for residents of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. In a situation where all air routes have been completely cut off, dismissing this as mere 'showcase administration' is ignoring the reality faced by citizens."

Bae Hooncheon, Co-Representative of the Citizens' Committee for the Revival of Gwangju Airport International Flights, made these remarks regarding the controversy over the renewed push for temporary international flights, during an interview at a caf? in Unam-dong, Gwangju, on November 18. He defined the current reapplication not as a simple event-driven response, but as a structural issue to reclaim the basic right to air access for residents of the southwestern region.

Bae Hooncheon, Co-Representative of the Citizens' Committee for the Revival of Gwangju Airport International Flights. Photo by Song Bohyun

Bae identified the fundamental cause of the delay in normalizing Muan Airport as the complete lack of progress on three fronts: clarifying the cause of the accident, punishing those responsible, and establishing measures to prevent recurrence. He added that issues such as migratory bird habitats, localizer problems, and runway safety remain unresolved, making it "impossible to set a schedule for normal operations." He emphasized, "True normalization means citizens can use the airport with peace of mind, and the current delay is a structural problem caused by both a breakdown of trust and the absence of safety measures."

Regarding Gwangju City's renewed application for temporary international flights, he explained, "This is a structural response to the disappearance of international flight options in the southwestern region, due to the prolonged closure of Muan Airport and the uncertainty surrounding Saemangeum Airport." He stressed that this is not a one-off demand, but "an answer to how to restore air access rights in the southwestern region."

On the inconvenience faced by citizens since the suspension of international flights, he said, "Early morning travel to Incheon, Gimhae, and Cheongju has become routine, and for many seniors, taking an overseas trip once or twice a year is a major joy in life. As these inconveniences grow, some even consider moving closer to their children in the metropolitan area."

Regarding the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's concerns about installing CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) facilities, he stated, "For the scale of international flights at Gwangju Airport, a simple CIQ is sufficient." He emphasized, "This can be achieved by rearranging existing space, not by building new structures. In both 1995, when international flights were first introduced, and in 2001, after the IMF crisis, CIQ facilities were installed in a short period of time." He also said that temporarily transferring facilities and personnel from Muan Airport, which currently has suspended international flights, to Gwangju is "realistic."

On the view that the relocation of the military airport and the push for temporary international flights are in conflict, he drew a clear line, saying, "There is no reason for these two issues to clash." He pointed out that relocating the military airport is a long-term task, while restoring mobility through temporary flights is an immediate necessity.

If temporary international flights become a reality, he predicted, "People will be able to use international flights within 30 to 40 minutes without having to travel early in the morning." He forecast that as soon as accessibility is restored, industries such as travel, tourism, golf, and medical tourism will be able to resume normal product planning, and the regional economy will be revitalized.

He concluded, "There is already sufficient evidence that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport would find difficult to refute, such as the uncertainty over normalizing Muan Airport, the need to guarantee mobility rights, and the precedent for CIQ installation. In this case, political power is more important than logic. The most effective approach is for civil society, political circles, and the city council to unite and shape public opinion." The following is a Q&A with Co-Representative Bae.

Fighter jet training scene at Gwangju Military Airport. Provided by Gwangsan District, Gwangju.

-What was the initial motivation for forming the Citizens' Committee?

▲Local residents have long been swept up in the notion that relocating the airport was the only solution, without a real opportunity to understand the full circumstances. Aviation veterans who had raised concerns since the 2008 transfer of international flights to Muan decided they could no longer remain silent after witnessing the recent Muan Airport disaster. I advocated for this, and Professor Choi Youngtae, who as a former chairman of the Citizens' Rights Committee once stopped the transfer of domestic flights to Muan, joined forces with me to launch the committee. We view Gwangju Airport not as an unwanted facility to be removed, but as essential infrastructure at the heart of Honam's transportation network. We are working to properly inform citizens of this and to urge local political leaders to respond responsibly.

-What is the fundamental cause of the delay in normalizing Muan Airport?

▲Since the disaster, not a single step has been completed in clarifying the cause of the accident, punishing those responsible, or establishing measures to prevent recurrence. The core issues of migratory bird habitats, localizer problems, and runway safety remain unaddressed. Under these circumstances, it is impossible to establish a schedule for normal operations. True normalization means citizens can use the airport with confidence, but it will take much longer to lift the closure and restore trust. The current delay is not just a scheduling issue, but a structural problem caused by both the lack of safety measures and the collapse of trust.

-Gwangju City recently reapplied for temporary international flights.

▲The April application was a one-off response to an international event, but the current reapplication is different in nature. With Muan Airport closed for the long term and the future of Saemangeum Airport unclear, all international flight options in the southwestern region have disappeared. This renewed push is a structural answer to the question of "how to restore air access rights in the southwestern region." In the short term, temporary flights are needed, and in the long term, Gwangju Airport should develop into the gateway international airport for the region.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung is having a tea meeting with reporters in the city hall press room, explaining major municipal issues. Provided by Gwangju City

-There are differing opinions within the Gwangju City Council regarding temporary international flights.

▲It is very regrettable that some city council members are approaching this issue from a political standpoint. This matter is unrelated to the debate over integration or relocation, and citizens are already experiencing the disconnection of air routes. Labeling this as 'showcase administration' is an anti-citizen attitude. However, I positively note that there are voices within the council seeking to correct these issues.

-What are some examples of the inconvenience faced by citizens since the suspension of international flights?

▲The hardship of having to travel to Incheon, Gimhae, or Cheongju in the early morning has already become routine. In many families, only seniors remain in the region, and for them, traveling abroad once or twice a year is a major source of joy. If these inconveniences worsen, some even consider leaving the area they have lived in all their lives to move closer to their children in the metropolitan area. This is not just a matter of travel inconvenience, but one that undermines the local community and the living conditions of the elderly.

-What is your realistic assessment of the CIQ installation issue raised by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport?

▲For the scale of international flights at Gwangju Airport, a simple CIQ is sufficient. This can be resolved by rearranging existing space, not by constructing new buildings. In both 1995, when international flights were introduced, and in 2001, after the IMF crisis, CIQ facilities were installed within a very short period. If the government is willing, installation can be completed quickly. With Muan Airport's international flights suspended, temporarily transferring the facilities and personnel to Gwangju is also realistic. Ultimately, the key is the government's will.

-Why do you believe the experience of installing CIQ in 1995 and 2001 is still relevant today?

▲Even then, the facilities were installed and operated within a short period. What is needed now is not a large-scale permanent facility, but only the minimum necessary equipment, and this can be achieved simply by rearranging existing space, not through lengthy construction work.

Pilots of the 1st Fighter Wing in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, are landing after completing flight training with fighter jets. Provided by the 1st Fighter Wing

-Some believe that the issues of relocating the military airport and resuming temporary international flights are intertwined. What is your view?

▲There is no reason for these two issues to conflict. Relocating the military airport is a long-term task, while restoring mobility through temporary international flights is an immediate issue that must be addressed. Even during the April application, South Jeolla Province did not oppose temporary flights. It has already been confirmed that temporary flights do not hinder the relocation of the military airport.

-If temporary international flights resume, what changes do you expect citizens will experience?

▲Everyday life for citizens will be restored. People will be able to use international flights within 30 to 40 minutes, without early morning travel. As soon as accessibility is secured, industries such as travel agencies, tourism, golf, and medical tourism will be able to resume normal product planning. The regional economy will be revitalized, and Gwangju will regain its status as the gateway city of the southwestern region.

-What are the main arguments Gwangju City should present to persuade the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport?

▲The uncertainty surrounding the normalization of Muan Airport, the need to guarantee citizens' right to mobility, and the precedent for CIQ installation are all points that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport would find difficult to refute. However, in this matter, political power is more important than logic. Considering the influence of South Jeolla Province's political circles and the Ministry's attitude, the most effective approach is for civil society, the political community, and the city council to unite and exert pressure. Statements from National Assembly members, citizen signature campaigns, and the consolidation of public opinion can all have a real impact.

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