With the government deciding to build a semiconductor cluster at the Gwangju military airport site, talks have begun on the transfer of the U.S.-Republic of Korea jointly operated air base (COB·Collocated Operating Base) located there.
Kim Yong-beom, the Blue House policy chief, said at a briefing on the 10th, "Because some U.S. forces are using the Gwangju military airport, it is only natural that we consult," adding, "We have already begun consultations between Korea and the United States." A Ministry of National Defense official also told reporters that day, "While working to ensure there are no problems with readiness and to meet national policy goals, we plan to consult closely with the Air Force and the United States."
The Gwangju military airport is one of five COBs in Korea and participates in U.S. air power operations in contingencies. It is known to have facilities and areas that U.S. forces can use in contingencies, as well as land provided to the United States under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
U.S. Forces Korea 7th Air Force Spokesperson Maj. Laura Hayden took a cautious stance on the transfer of the Gwangju military airport, saying, "We have significant military equities at Gwangju Air Base, and we will continue close coordination with the Republic of Korea Air Force to meet all requirements and maintain a strong combined readiness posture."
The area around Muan International Airport in South Jeolla has been selected as a preliminary candidate site for the transfer of the Gwangju military airport. However, the possibility of clearing the site sooner than originally planned is also being discussed. The Ministry of National Defense says it will review ways to clear the site to the greatest extent possible without creating a security gap, in order to cooperate with the creation of the semiconductor cluster.
Even before transferring the functions of the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, which is stationed at the Gwangju military airport, to the Muan Airport area, a plan to disperse them to other domestic bases is also being discussed.
Kim also said on a radio program on the 6th, "If, in consultation with the Air Force, we draw up a plan to disperse the training requirements currently conducted at the airport to other Air Force bases, we can use the site without waiting for a new airport to be built in Muan."