![Min Hyeong-bae, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City, speaks to supporters at his campaign office in Mareuk-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, on June 3, after his election victory appeared likely. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/08/10/news-p.v1.20260604.30b9937d526c4275b95b690586249d8f_P1.jpg)
Min Hyeong-bae, mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City, on Monday welcomed President Lee Jae Myung's decision to temporarily relocate the functions of the Gwangju military airport by 2028.
"At the second joint public-private mega-project review meeting held today, a concrete timeline was presented for the early use of the Gwangju military airport site," Min said. "The South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City, together with its 3.2 million residents, warmly welcomes this."
Min said President Lee had urged officials to do their utmost to begin ground-breaking on an industrial complex on land near the military airport even before the temporary relocation takes place. "Even before the full relocation process is complete, a clear path has emerged to advance use of the site in line with the urgent semiconductor investment schedule," he said.
Min said the city would work closely with the government, businesses and relevant agencies to accelerate development of the industrial complex and streamline permit procedures. "We will also ensure that the power and water supply infrastructure — critical to the success of the semiconductor cluster — is put in place without delay," he said.
siuu@heraldcorp.com
