Lee: "Lightning Operation for Mega Projects... Gwangju Military Airport to Be Relocated by Mid-2028"

Second Public-Private Joint Review Meeting on Mega Projects

Reference to Kumamoto, Japan, Where a Factory Was Built in Just 2 Years and 4 Months

"Hope the Honam Cluster Will Be Implemented Just as Rapidly"

Orders Early Construction of Industrial Complex Near Gwangju Military Airport

President Lee Jae-myung stated on August 10 that the government must go beyond a mere race against time and execute a “lightning operation” in pushing forward the "three major mega projects." Regarding the Gwangju military airport, which was selected as the site for the Honam semiconductor cluster, he ordered that its functions be temporarily relocated to another base by mid-2028.

In the public-private joint meeting held at the Blue House main building the same day, President Lee remarked, “All related procedures must be carried out simultaneously to significantly reduce lead times, and regulations should be continually improved so that implementation can proceed as quickly as possible.”

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the 2nd Joint Public-Private Mega Project Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on August 10, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Previously, one week after announcing the three major mega projects, President Lee convened the first public-private joint meeting on July 6, where he designated the Gwangju military airport as the site for the Honam semiconductor cluster and ordered the acceleration of the project.

President Lee stressed, “With the current extraordinary situation, the government must also innovate rapidly to enable extraordinary decision-making and swift action. Beyond simply leading innovation, the government itself should become a model of innovation so that large-scale corporate investments can proceed without setbacks.”

He continued, “Comprehensive checks are needed to ensure that corporate willingness to invest is not discouraged and no procedures are delayed, whether by interagency regulatory barriers or lack of infrastructure.” He asked Prime Minister Han Seong-sook in particular to “pay special attention” to this matter.

President Lee stated, “At this stage, securing the site and basic infrastructure is of utmost importance. In the case of the Honam semiconductor cluster, I hope its implementation will be as fast as, if not faster than, the project in Kumamoto, Japan.” In April 2022, Japan began constructing a TSMC plant in Kumamoto Prefecture and completed it in just two years and four months.

Lee: “Early construction of industrial complex near Gwangju military airport”

President Lee also stated regarding the Honam semiconductor cluster site, “The Ministry of National Defense should temporally relocate the military functions to another air base by mid-2028 so that the Gwangju military airport site can be used as a semiconductor industrial complex as early as possible.”

He added, “Even before the Gwangju military airport is relocated, please do everything possible to commence early construction of the industrial complex on adjacent land.”

Furthermore, President Lee explained, “The ultimate goal of the mega projects is to expand the growth axis to the entire nation and reorganize the ultra-gap industrial map to focus on local areas.”

He continued, “As we push forward with the mega projects, measures to proactively prevent K-shaped growth and polarization must be prepared. I hope each ministry will ensure that the achievements born from the collective power of the community are not concentrated only in specific regions or companies.”

He stated, “If we only start thinking about balanced growth after investments are made and factories are built, it will already be too late. We must seek ways to foster inclusive growth from the earliest stages of the projects.”

Meanwhile, President Lee addressed Kim Yong-gwan, President of Samsung Electronics, and Chung Seungil, President for Future Growth at SK, who were present at the meeting, saying, “I recognize that you are already dedicated to co-prosperity activities. Nevertheless, I ask you to give even more special attention going forward. Only when people believe that the growth of cutting-edge strategic industries will enhance their own lives can bold investment and innovation become possible.”

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