Defense Minister inspects Gwangju base as government pushes air base move for chip hub
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul toured Gwangju Air Base to urge cooperation on its planned relocation to support a new semiconductor cluster.
During a Wednesday inspection, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul examined the Gwangju Air Base, which houses the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, to ensure the unit remains combat-ready while the government prepares to move the base. The relocation is intended to free the site for a major semiconductor cluster in the Honam region, with the new facility to be built in Muan County. To limit operational disruption, three squadrons of the fighter wing will be temporarily stationed at air bases in Yecheon, Seosan and Chungju.
The original timeline aimed for completion by mid-2028, but President Lee Jae Myung ordered an acceleration, signalling possible changes to existing rules. Kang emphasized close coordination between the military and the defense ministry throughout the transition.
Why it matters
The move links national defense assets to a strategic push for semiconductor manufacturing, affecting both security and economic growth.
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