Osan gate-crashers were student activists protesting US role in Korean semiconductor project

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Six South Korean student activists forced their way through this installation’s main gate this week while two others were stopped outside during a protest over perceived U.S. interference in a proposed $522 billion semiconductor complex, according to police and media reports.

The four men and four women reached the gate at about 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, National Police spokeswoman Julie Song said by text message the next day. Air Force security personnel detained the group and transferred them to South Korean police.

The 51st Fighter Wing described the incident as an attempted unlawful entry.

The demonstrators are under investigation for suspected violations of South Korea’s Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, Song said.

This uncredited image shared on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page purports to show U.S. security forces pursuing protestors who breached the main gate at Osan Air Base, South Korea. (Facebook)

This uncredited image shared on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page purports to show a protester at Osan Air Base, South Korea. (Facebook)

This uncredited image shared on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page purports to show protesters inside Osan Air Base, South Korea. (Facebook)

Police said the activists invoked their right to remain silent during questioning.

The Korean Progressive University Student Union said the eight were members protesting what the organization characterized as U.S. interference in plans for the Honam Semiconductor Industrial Complex, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Photos posted Tuesday on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page appear to show a woman demonstrating about 150 yards inside the base while holding a banner. Its Korean-language message roughly translates as: “Let’s smash the U.S. 7th Air Force for picking a fight over Honam semiconductors.”

South Korea selected Gwangju Airport on July 6 as the site of the government-backed semiconductor complex. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plan to invest about $522 billion in the project.

Construction would require relocating the South Korean air force installation at Gwangju, with Muan County identified as a preliminary replacement site.

Gwangju is one of five bases available to both U.S. and South Korean forces. No American units are permanently stationed there during peacetime, but U.S. aircraft may deploy to the installation for training.

Portions of the airfield are reserved for U.S. military use under the countries’ status of forces agreement.

Seventh Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Laura Hayden said last month that the command has “important military interests” at Gwangju and would coordinate with the South Korean air force to preserve combined readiness. She did not say whether the U.S. military supported or opposed the semiconductor project.

The student union portrayed those interests in a July 19 Facebook post as an obstacle to relocating the airport.

The organization had also criticized Osan after white phosphorus residue was found inside a munitions crate during a routine inspection on July 28. The discovery prompted a brief public warning from nearby Pyeongtaek city and an evacuation message from the base that wing spokesman Master Sgt. Eric Flores later described as “incorrect.”

“Despite repeated incidents involving dangerous substances and pollution, officials at Osan Air Base have offered neither an apology nor a pledge to prevent recurrence,” the group said in the Facebook post.

The wing said Tuesday that it was cooperating with South Korean police on the breach. It did not immediately respond to a request for additional information Wednesday.