Gwangju air base relocation emerges as make-or-break variable for semiconductor mega-cluster

The government's decision to designate Gwangju Air Base as the site for a Honam-region semiconductor cluster has thrust a relocation dispute stalled for 19 years into the spotlight as the single biggest variable in the mega-project's success. Analysts say the site has strong competitive advantages, but any delay in the relocation schedule would push back the ground-breaking — effectively putting the entire project's fate on the line.

A Ministry of National Defense official said Tuesday that the ministry would "review various options to vacate the Gwangju Air Base site as early as possible without creating a security gap," adding that it was "working closely with the Air Force to support national policy." The statement reflected a cautious stance that acknowledges the strategic importance of projects such as the Honam semiconductor cluster while insisting that any operational disruption be kept to a minimum.

Cheong Wa Dae made clear Monday that its announcement of plans to build the Honam semiconductor cluster on the current Gwangju Air Base site was premised on relocating the base as early as possible without compromising national security.

Gwangju Air Base serves as a hub for advanced flight training to develop Air Force pilots. Spanning roughly 8.2 million square meters, its greatest strength is the sheer scale it offers — encompassing the airfield, an ammunition depot and safety buffer zones — making it capable of hosting a large industrial complex. Industry observers say the site can accommodate the four semiconductor fabrication plants planned by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

The central variable is where the military and civilian airports will go. The area near Muan International Airport is currently being discussed as a candidate relocation site, but persistent opposition from local residents makes it difficult to predict how quickly the project can move forward. Muan-gun has maintained its opposition on grounds of noise and environmental concerns, and securing residents' consent is a legal prerequisite for any military airport relocation.

Muan-gun has laid out three preconditions: the prior relocation of Gwangju's civilian airport, 1 trillion won ($653 million) in government support and a package of government-level incentives — raising the prospect of protracted negotiations.

Muan-gun officials have warned that if the project continues to be pushed forward unilaterally without adequate guarantees for residents' rights and the region's future, they will have no choice but to demand a fundamental review of the entire process. They have also said a structure in which Muan bears the burden while Gwangju reaps the benefits of advanced industry development is unacceptable.

Muan-gun recently boycotted a meeting of the air base site selection committee. Some observers now say a ground-breaking within two to three years may be unrealistic.

In practical terms, the Lee Jae Myung administration cannot expect to show results within its term unless the Gwangju Air Base relocation issue is resolved.

Alternative scenarios are therefore being floated. Voices inside and outside the region argue that if the government intends to press ahead with using the current Gwangju Air Base site for the semiconductor cluster, it must simultaneously explore alternative relocation destinations such as Gunsan or Sacheon. The argument is that conflict can be sidestepped through a dispersed relocation or a move to a third location.

Policy support challenges are equally daunting. Operating four semiconductor fabs will require approximately 6.3 gigawatts of electricity, making large-scale transmission networks and substations essential, while industrial water supply must be secured at 1 million tons per day.

The backbone of the power supply plan is a 345-kilovolt ultra-high-voltage transmission network centered on the Sinjangsong substation in Jangseong. The government plans to build 43 kilometers of new transmission lines and two new substations, supplying power in phases. The Sinjangsong substation is set to serve as a power hub connecting offshore wind farms in Sinan, the Hanbit nuclear power plant and renewable energy sources in the western region. Finalizing transmission line routes, obtaining substation permits and securing community acceptance remain outstanding challenges.

Securing water supply is no less difficult. Rather than building new dams, the government plans to redistribute existing water resources — drawing on Dongbok Dam, Juam Dam, Jangheung Dam, Boseonggang Dam and Naju Dam — to supply 650,000 tons of industrial water per day. The Yeongsan and Seomjin river basins in the Honam region, however, are considered to have the smallest surplus capacity and lowest drought-period flow of any multipurpose dam system in the country. There are concerns that stable water supply could prove difficult if droughts intensify due to climate change.

The government also plans to sharply compress permitting timelines, aiming to cut administrative procedures for power infrastructure — which normally take four to five years — to around one year before breaking ground. If the air base relocation process and the securing of transmission capacity and water supply do not proceed as planned, delays to the Honam semiconductor mega-cluster development schedule appear inevitable.