Gyeongbuk Provincial Civic Groups Declare "Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport Is the Only Hope" Resolution Statement

Joint Press Conference of Saemaeul Association, Basalun, and Korea Veterans Association Gyeongbuk Branch

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] Amid the crisis of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport relocation project being jeopardized due to the opposition from Gunwi County, one of the joint hosting parties, three civic groups in Gyeongbuk have issued a resolution urging the prompt advancement of the new airport project.

The Gyeongsangbuk-do Saemaul Association, the Gyeongbuk Council of the Movement for Right Living, and the Gyeongbuk Branch of the Korea Freedom Federation held a press conference at the provincial government briefing room on the 7th, emphasizing the necessity of constructing the new airport by stating, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk are the birthplace of the Saemaul Movement and the heart of South Korea that led modernization, but recently have been suffering endless pain due to unprecedented economic downturns such as COVID-19."

These groups appealed that the integrated new airport is ▲ the only hope for Daegu and Gyeongbuk to regain their former glory and make a great leap forward, ▲ a solution to the crisis of local extinction through rural area development, and ▲ the starting point of a grand project for the mutual development of the entire 5.1 million population of Daegu and Gyeongbuk.

Lee Jong-pyeong, chairman of the Gyeongbuk Council of the Movement for Right Living, who announced the resolution that day, explained, "History will surely remember the noble spirit of sacrifice and the passion for loving the region shown by the residents of Gunwi and Uiseong," adding, "I stand here to convey the will of all members with an urgent feeling that we cannot miss the opportunity for Daegu and Gyeongbuk's re-leap."

Meanwhile, Kim Young-man, Gunwi County Governor, held a press conference on the 6th and reiterated his intention not to apply for hosting the joint candidate site, stating, "We will resolve the grievances of Gunwi residents through legal litigation."

Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense held the '6th Daegu Military Airport Relocation Site Selection Committee,' chaired by the minister, and decided to postpone the site selection until July 31. However, it has finalized that if there is no 'joint hosting application,' the site will automatically be deemed 'unsuitable.'