Eight South Korean university students are under investigation after attempting to enter a United States military base during a protest over plans involving a major semiconductor manufacturing project, authorities said on Wednesday.
The incident took place on Tuesday at Osan Air Base, about 50 kilometres south of Seoul. The facility serves as the main hub for the US Air Force in South Korea.
According to a statement from the US military, the group attempted to enter the installation through its main gate without authorisation. Military personnel detained the protesters before transferring them to the Korean National Police for further investigation.
Police confirmed the students remain in custody and said they have declined to answer questions during initial interviews.
The demonstration was organised by the Korean Progressive University Student Union, which later shared photographs of the protest on social media. The group said it was opposing what it described as the US military’s interference in a large semiconductor development planned for the southern city of Gwangju.
The protesters argued that the continued military presence at Gwangju Military Airbase could delay or complicate the government’s plans to establish a major chip manufacturing hub in the city.
South Korea has emerged as one of the world’s leading semiconductor producers, with companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix benefiting from rising global demand for advanced chips used in artificial intelligence, data centres and consumer electronics.
The planned manufacturing complex in Gwangju is expected to involve investment of around 800 trillion won (approximately €485 billion), making it one of the country’s largest industrial projects.
Last month, South Korea’s presidential office confirmed that Seoul and Washington had begun consultations on relocating the airport at Gwangju, part of which is currently used by US military forces. Any relocation would be a significant step in allowing the semiconductor project to move forward.
The United States maintains around 28,500 troops in South Korea under a long-standing defence alliance intended to deter military threats from neighbouring North Korea.
Although the alliance remains a cornerstone of South Korea’s national security, the presence of US forces has periodically sparked protests. Critics have raised concerns over issues including land use, environmental impacts and the social consequences associated with communities surrounding military bases.
The latest protest also recalls previous demonstrations targeting the US presence in the country. In 2019, nearly 20 students linked to a pro-Pyongyang organisation entered the residence of the US ambassador in Seoul during a protest against Washington’s calls for South Korea to increase its financial contribution toward the cost of hosting American troops.
Authorities have not announced whether the eight detained students will face formal charges. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attempted entry into Osan Air Base while the student organisation maintains its opposition to any military presence it believes could hinder the planned semiconductor investment in Gwangju.
