In brief
South Korea is pursuing a comprehensive agreement with the United States to relocate jointly used air bases, including the Gwangju military airport, to support a mega semiconductor cluster. The negotiations, which began in 2021 and stalled in late 2025, have resumed with progress on language and parliamentary procedures. Defense officials and the National Security Adviser indicate the deal is likely to be signed by year‑end 2026, pending final parliamentary approval.
South Korea announced on Monday it is working to finalize a comprehensive agreement with the United States by the end of 2026 to relocate jointly used air bases, including the Gwangju military airport, amid its push to build a mega semiconductor cluster in the southwestern city, Yonhap reported.
The move follows stalled talks in 2025 and aims to streamline U.S. Forces Korea operations across five collocated operating bases while supporting industrial development. The agreement would shift U.S. military assets from current sites to new locations, centralizing logistics and maintenance functions.
Negotiation History
South Korea and Washington began setting principles for base relocations in 2021 after Seoul decided to move the Daegu military airfield. The five collocated operating bases—Gwangju, Cheongju, Gimhae, Suwon, and the relocating Daegu—form a network that allows the U.S. Air Force to deploy assets in contingency situations. A tentative deal was signed in October 2024, but talks stalled again in November 2025 when a U.S. draft proposal reached an impasse with Seoul.
Defense ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a press briefing,
"We are consulting with the U.S. side to include the temporary relocation of U.S. military facilities inside the Gwangju Air Base in the comprehensive agreement on COB relocations currently under negotiation,"
Wi Sung‑lac, South Korea’s National Security Adviser, told reporters on Friday that the government was nearing a deal with the United States on the comprehensive agreement. He added that the government’s next step would be to secure parliamentary consent for the pact, following required procedures.
Current Status and Next Steps
Chung also noted that ongoing maintenance work at U.S. facilities within the Gwangju base is being addressed, with an option to temporarily suspend operations to prevent budget waste. The party is discussing possibilities with the U.S. side, including a temporary halt to the maintenance work.
South Korea plans to move swiftly to obtain the necessary parliamentary approval for the agreement, with officials indicating that the language of the pact is now being fine‑tuned for final release. The government’s intent is to have the comprehensive deal signed by the year‑end, subject to final parliamentary approval.
The negotiations remain open to questions over the precise timing of parliamentary consent and the timeline for moving U.S. facilities. Both sides are also ironing out details on how the relocated bases will integrate with the planned semiconductor cluster, expected to bring substantial investment to the region.
If finalized, the relocation would centralize U.S. military operations across the five bases, potentially improving readiness while allowing South Korea to repurpose valuable land for industrial use. The agreement would also set a precedent for future bilateral realignment of military infrastructure in support of national economic priorities.
