The plan was first announced in 1993 during the Kim Young Sam presidency. During the Roh Moo-hyun presidency, the southwestern villages of Hwasun and Wimi were considered potential sites of construction. In 2007, Gangjeong village, located on the southern coast of Jeju Island, was designated as the official site. Two days after former village chief Yoon Tae-Jun announced his approval for the naval base construction on April 24, 2007, a vote was held on April 26, 2007 during which only 87 of the over 1,000 eligible voters were present. Ignoring local voting protocol, the motion was passed based on clapping.