The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, a repeater operation method and apparatus are disclosed. A method for supporting a repeater by a base station in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: determining whether a relay communication about a target user equipment (UE) is required; and transmitting the repeater activation message to one or more repeater candidates. The activation message may include one or more parameters among an activation cycle, location, or a signal strength threshold for the one or more repeater candidates. A repeater satisfying the condition given by the one or more parameters from among the one or more repeater candidates can be activated as a repeater for the target UE.