Gwangju: The U.S. military stationed in South Korea has highlighted "important" military interests at the Gwangju military airport, which is set to be relocated to accommodate a new semiconductor production cluster. This development comes as part of Seoul's large-scale investment projects aimed at boosting the country's semiconductor sector.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seventh Air Force has emphasized its significant military interests at Gwangju Air Base, with spokesperson Maj. Laura Hayden stating that ongoing coordination with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is crucial to maintain a strong combined readiness posture. The relocation plan follows the government's selection of Gwangju as a site for the chip manufacturing cluster, where major chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. plan to invest a combined 800 trillion won (US$522 billion) in the Honam area.

The county of Muan has been designated as a preliminary candidate to host the relocated military airport. Military officials have noted that consultations with the U.S. are necessary due to the airport's status as one of the five collocated operating bases (COBs) used jointly by South Korea and the U.S.

While no U.S. forces are permanently stationed at Gwangju airport during peacetime, it serves as a contingency deployment site for U.S. air assets. Certain areas within the airport are reserved for U.S. military use under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Defense ministry officials have stated that discussions with the U.S. regarding the relocation plan remain in preliminary stages. "Nothing specific has been worked out yet," said a defense ministry official during a press briefing. Efforts are being made to ensure military readiness is not compromised during the relocation process.

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) refrained from commenting on the host nation's pre-decisional policy matters but reiterated its commitment to maintaining a strong defense posture in collaboration with its South Korean ally.

Amid these developments, there are calls for the preemptive dispersion of the South Korean Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing functions currently stationed at Gwangju to expedite the airport's relocation to Muan, a process expected to take several years.