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SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul visited an air base in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Wednesday to inspect the readiness of a key Air Force unit as the government plans to relocate the base to support a major semiconductor cluster project, his office said.
Kang toured the Gwangju Air Base, home to the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, in the namesake city, about 270 kilometers south of Seoul, in a bid to urge troops to cooperate in completing the country's key strategic policy while maintaining a robust readiness posture.
The Gwangju Air Base has been picked as the site for the envisioned chip cluster in the Honam region and is expected to be moved to nearby Muan County.
"The military should coordinate closely with the defense ministry to follow through on the temporary rearrangement (of the 1st Fighter Wing) and the relocation of the Gwangju Air Base while maintaining a robust aerial defense posture," Kang said.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul (C) inspects a military airport in Gwangju, about 270 kilometers south of Seoul, home to the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing, which has been handpicked as the site for an envisioned chip cluster, on Oct. 14, 2026, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The government plans to temporarily relocate three squadrons of the 1st Fighter Wing to three air bases, located in Yecheon, Seosan and Chungju, respectively, to minimize disruptions in their operational capabilities.
Initially, the government planned to complete the relocation of the fighter wing by mid-2028, but President Lee Jae Myung last month ordered officials to expedite the process, saying relevant regulations or guidelines should be revised if needed.
The defense chief also visited the Army's Ground Operations Command later in the day, where he was debriefed on operational updates at the command center, according to the ministry.
Kang ordered troops to respond sternly in the event of an enemy provocation under a "watertight" readiness posture while underscoring the importance of "discipline" in the military to commanders.
The Ground Operations Command oversees five subordinate corps, including the 1st Corps, responsible for the western front, which came under fire for conducting guard duties without live ammunition loaded.
The ministry has since reportedly found similar procedure breaches in other corps, including the 2nd and 3rd corps, through an internal audit.
sookim@yna.co.kr
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