President Lee Jae-myung ordered the temporary relocation of Gwangju Military Airport functions by mid-2028 to accelerate a massive semiconductor project [1], [2].
The move is intended to enable the early groundbreaking of a 4,700 trillion won semiconductor "3-mega-project" [1]. By clearing the site faster, the government aims to secure South Korea's strategic position in the global chip market through rapid industrial expansion.
Lee said he instructed the Ministry of National Defense to temporarily redeploy certain functions of the Gwangju military base to other locations by mid-2028 [1], [2]. This directive aims to remove logistical hurdles that could delay the start of construction on the semiconductor hub.
The president urged a construction pace that mirrors the speed of Japan's Kumamoto plant, which was built in less than two years [1]. Lee said the situation requires a "blitzkrieg" rather than just a "speed war" [1].
The project represents one of the largest industrial investments in the region. The administration is pushing for a build-out that minimizes traditional bureaucratic delays to meet national economic goals [1], [2].
This order follows a review meeting held approximately one month ago regarding the first of the mega-projects [1], [2]. The government is now prioritizing the physical availability of land in Gwangju to ensure the 4,700 trillion won investment can proceed without further scheduling conflicts [1].
“The situation requires a 'blitzkrieg' rather than just a 'speed war'.”
The decision to displace military functions for industrial gain underscores the South Korean government's view of semiconductor dominance as a matter of national security. By citing the Kumamoto plant as a benchmark, the administration is signaling a shift toward aggressive, fast-tracked infrastructure development to compete with regional rivals in the chip race.
