Gwangju air base semiconductor hub plan risks new Korea-US friction

The Korean government's plan to transform the Gwangju Military Air Base into a flagship semiconductor cluster for the country's southwestern region is expected to require close consultations with the United States, as the facility serves as a Korea-U.S.

Air Force Collocated Operating Base (COB).

Though no U.S.

Air Force operational units are permanently stationed at Gwangju during peacetime, as one of the five COBs in Korea, the base is designated as a location where U.S. air assets can rapidly deploy in the event of a contingency.

Portions of the installation are understood to have been provided to the U.S. side under the Status of Forces Agreement, allowing American forces to use designated facilities during emergencies.

As a result, any relocation or change in operational status of the base would likely require bilateral consultations and the formal redesignation of the COB.

A Ministry of National Defense official said the government plans to work closely with the U.S. side to coordinate the timing of any changes.

"We will swiftly discuss measures to coordinate specific timelines so t ...