Muan County Councilman Kim Won-jung has proposed redefining the functions of the Muan Aviation Industry Complex and expanding the types of industries present, citing low occupancy rates and a reliance on specific companies.
During a five-minute speech at the seventh session of the 310th Muan County Council on August 3, Kim stated, "To establish the Muan Aviation Industry Complex as a future growth engine for the region, we need to reassess the current direction and develop new strategies for advancement."
He explained that the complex was created to foster the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry based on Muan International Airport, aiming to create jobs for young people and stimulate the local economy.
Kim noted that a total of 42.8 billion won (approximately $32 million) has been invested in the complex, including 20.5 billion won for land compensation and 22.3 billion won for development costs. Of the total area of about 106,000 pyeong, only about 81,200 pyeong is designated for industrial use. Currently, contracts for the aviation maintenance area cover about 22,000 pyeong, which is only 27% of the industrial land, and even with the inclusion of the site for the West Sea Regional Coast Guard's aviation unit, the utilization rate is only about 42%."
He also raised concerns about the concentration of industrial land being allocated to a single company during the development process.
"When the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport withheld designation of the complex due to concerns about its viability, the focus shifted from improving the business plan to securing tenant companies, resulting in one company receiving preferential rights to about 53,000 pyeong, or 65.2% of the industrial land," he said. "This created a structure where the success of the complex is essentially dependent on the investment of a specific company."
Kim pointed out that despite various efforts, including the county mayor's direct overseas investment attraction activities in 2022, no investments materialized, and the company in question delayed its entry, leading to the expiration of its preferential rights due to unpaid interim payments. He emphasized the need to review whether there were sufficient institutional safeguards to ensure compliance with agreements.
Above all, Kim argued for a redesign of the complex's functions. He stated, "Limiting tenants to only those related to the MRO industry restricts the activation of the complex. We need to expand the types of industries to include logistics, storage, and processing industries that can support air cargo and agricultural exports, allowing for a diverse range of companies to enter."
He added, "We must move away from simply announcing land for sale and waiting for companies to come. We need to actively attract anchor companies that can grow alongside the airport and the local economy. The presence of anchor companies can lead to job creation and positively impact the sale of remaining land."
Kim also emphasized the need for a strategic connection between the aviation industry complex and the national industrial complex. He noted, "Once the national industrial complex and K-Food convergence industrial complex currently being developed in Hyun-gyeong-myeon are fully operational, the aviation industry complex can serve as a logistics and pilot production hub. We need to establish a comprehensive industrial strategy linked to the national complex."
Kim concluded, "What the residents expect is not short-term results but a clear direction and execution strategy on how to activate the vacant industrial complex. Active decisions and policy shifts from the administration are necessary for the Muan Aviation Industry Complex to become a cornerstone of regional growth."
Meanwhile, the Muan Aviation Industry Complex aims to foster the aviation industry linked to Muan International Airport, with attracting companies and diversifying industrial functions identified as key tasks for revitalizing the local economy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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