The South Korean government has identified semiconductors as a key regional industry to revitalize Muan International Airport. Plans are underway to develop the Gwangju military airport site into a semiconductor production base, while Muan's national industrial complex and airport will focus on supplying materials, parts, and equipment, as well as export and logistics, forming a semiconductor cluster in the Honam region.
On September 5, officials from the government and Gwangju Metropolitan City announced that the government had proposed 'Muan (semiconductors)' as a case of specialized development linked to regional industries in its public institution reform plan released on September 3.
The government has decided to postpone the integration of Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation, opting to implement measures to revitalize regional airports first. Depending on the progress, the integration will be reconsidered. A proposed airport strategy council, involving the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the two airport corporations, aims to develop specialized strategies and improve financial structures for each airport.
Plans are also being considered to expand routes connecting Incheon Airport with regional airports and to increase direct international flights departing from these airports. The intention is to broaden Muan Airport's focus from passenger services to industrial and logistics functions, aligning with the semiconductor industry's needs.
This initiative aligns with the $800 billion semiconductor cluster project announced by the government and major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix at the end of June. The government has identified the Gwangju military airport site, covering 2.5 million square meters, as a candidate for a national semiconductor industrial complex.
Procedures for relocating the military airport are also in progress. The Ministry of National Defense's site selection committee designated the area in Muan as a candidate for the Gwangju military airport relocation on August 28. Gwangju City plans to initiate three projects, totaling 26 billion won, for basic planning, strategic environmental assessments, and construction project management by November.
However, Muan has not yet been confirmed as the final relocation site. A public hearing, a resident vote, and Muan's application for the relocation will determine the final site by the end of this year.
The development of the Muan national industrial complex is also gaining momentum with a focus on regional roles. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport designated 1.05 million square meters in Hyeonggyeong-myeon, Muan, as a candidate for the national industrial complex on August 25. Initially, Muan aimed to establish a specialized complex for distributed energy based on 100% renewable energy (RE100), but with the semiconductor cluster project gaining traction, plans are being discussed to add semiconductor materials and parts production and supply functions.
If semiconductor production facilities are established at the Gwangju military airport site, the Muan national industrial complex will supply related materials, parts, and equipment, while Muan Airport will support export and logistics. With the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway project, which includes Muan Airport Station, there are expectations for an industrial network connecting Gwangju's production base with Muan's materials and logistics hubs.
Efforts to secure the necessary infrastructure and workforce for the cluster are also underway. Gwangju City is developing a water reuse management plan to supply 300,000 tons of treated wastewater daily to the semiconductor industrial complex. The total project cost is estimated at 720 billion won, with budget allocations for buffer storage and supply facilities included in the 2027 government budget proposal.
Local universities and the Gwangju Metropolitan City Education Office plan to train over 23,000 workers tailored for the semiconductor industry. The goal is to create an ecosystem that connects schools, universities, and businesses, enabling locally educated talent to secure employment and settle in the area.
Gwangju City intends to leverage the semiconductor linkage plan for Muan Airport as part of its strategy to attract the Korea Airports Corporation. The city aims to develop Muan Airport into a regional hub by linking the relocation of the Gwangju military airport with the establishment of the Honam semiconductor cluster. The Korea Airports Corporation is among the ten priority public institutions identified for relocation by the city.
However, the government has not yet confirmed the primary industry for the Muan national industrial complex as semiconductors, nor has it decided on any specific semiconductor support projects for Muan Airport. The mention of 'Muan (semiconductors)' in government documents serves as an example of policies linking regional airports with local industries. The relocation of the Korea Airports Corporation remains a proposal from Gwangju City, with no official government decision made.
A Gwangju City official stated, "The mention of 'Muan (semiconductors)' in government documents indicates an intention to connect the regional semiconductor industry with airport revitalization. The specific functions and industries for the Muan national industrial complex will be determined during the planning process for its establishment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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