[Issue] Will Gwangju Airport Resume International Flights After 18 Years?... Temporary Operations Discussed for This Year

Concerns Raised over Muan Airport Runway Safety... Inspection Results Not Disclosed
Plan for Two International Flights Per Day in December Discussed... Government Policy Still Unconfirmed
Special City Launches Fact-Checking Effort... Citizen Committee Urges Swift Resumption
Semiconductor Project Schedule Remains Unchanged... Mass Production Targeted for 2030

As concerns over runway safety at Muan International Airport have arisen, it is reported that a temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport is under review. Since the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has not officially disclosed the results of facility inspections or its policy regarding international flights, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City has begun its own fact-checking efforts.

Combat aircraft training scene at Gwangju Military Airport. Provided by Gwangsan District

Inspection of Muan Airport Facilities... Results and Follow-up Measures Not Disclosed

According to Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City and other sources on September 8, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Airports Corporation inspected Muan Airport facilities last month. After the Jeju Air passenger plane accident on December 29, 2024, Muan Airport has remained closed, and while runway safety issues have been raised, the specific results of the inspection and any follow-up measures have not been made public.

The special city confirmed the inspection with Muan Airport, but reportedly did not receive information regarding the results or plans for repairs. Some predict that if runway repairs are necessary, the reopening of the airport could be delayed by one to two years; however, the Ministry has not announced any concrete plans for repairs or provided a timeline for resuming operations.

Speculation over Gwangju International Flights Within This Year... Citizen Committee Calls for Resumption

A temporary operation of international flights at Gwangju Airport is being considered as a way to minimize the aviation transportation gap caused by Muan Airport’s closure. There are reports of a plan to start with two international flights per day this December and expand to five per day next year. However, neither the resumption, the timing, nor the routes have been finalized. If flights resume, it will be the first time in 18 years since international routes were moved to Muan Airport in 2008.

The former Gwangju City had requested the government to allow temporary international flights from last year through the first half of this year. At that time, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expressed a negative stance, citing the time required for preparation and the associated costs.

Aerial view of the Gwangju Military Airport site. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City

Since its inception, the Integrated Special City has focused on an early reopening of Muan Airport and increasing international routes, rather than requesting international routes at Gwangju Airport. This approach took into consideration consultations on the integration and relocation of civilian and military airports with Muan-gun, as well as plans to establish a semiconductor cluster on the Gwangju Military Airfield site.

Regarding the rumors about the temporary resumption, it is known that the airport departments of both Gwangju and Muan offices have not received prior information from the government. The Ministry reportedly replied to the Special City’s inquiry, indicating that it would release a formal statement.

In response, the Gwangju Airport International Flight Revival Citizen Committee urged, "The government should no longer hesitate and must resume international flights at Gwangju Airport as soon as possible." The group also asserted, "Measures are needed to resolve the inconvenience for residents and local damages caused by the prolonged closure of Muan Airport."

Semiconductor Cluster Maintains Target for Mass Production in 2030

Gwangju Special City stated that the schedule for establishing the semiconductor cluster at the Gwangju Military Airfield site remains unchanged in relation to the discussion about the temporary international flights.

The project calls for licensing, design, and site maintenance by 2027, the completion of the first phase of the semiconductor fabrication plant (fab) by 2029, and the start of mass production in June 2030. The temporary dispersal of military functions to other regions aims for completion by mid-2028.

The political community and the Special City explain that, by first developing approximately 630,000 pyeong of the total 2.5 million pyeong military airfield where interference with military functions is minimal, it may be possible to begin construction of one or two factories even before the full relocation of the airport is completed. However, they also state that if there is a delay in ensuring the safety of Muan Airport, the timing of relocating civilian aviation functions cannot be guaranteed.

Muan-gun Requests Integration and Relocation of Civilian and Military Airports

Yonhap News

The transfer of Gwangju Airport's civilian aviation functions to Muan Airport has long been a precondition put forth by Muan-gun for the relocation of the military airport.

The Ministry of National Defense’s 2nd Gwangju Military Airfield Relocation Site Selection Committee decided on Mangun-myeon, Muan-gun, as a candidate site on August 28. It is reported that Muan-gun attended the meeting after receiving assurances on the fulfillment of preconditions and normalization of Muan Airport. A residents' referendum remains in the airport relocation process.

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