8 Years Ago, Cho Kuk Said "New Airport Is an Election-Era Civil Engineering Pledge," Now "Changed His Mind"

[Image source = Screenshot from Cho Kuk, former Minister of Justice's Twitter]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Eight years ago, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk criticized the Southeast region new airport plan as an "election-season civil engineering pledge," but recently he has been giving positive evaluations, even suggesting the airport's name himself, sparking criticism. Cho explained this by saying, "My thoughts have changed over time."

On the 21st, Cho mentioned the Southeast region new airport plan on his SNS, stating, "My thoughts have changed over time. The reasons are the following three," and added, "There has been a national consensus on the Gadeokdo New Airport, its economic feasibility is sufficient, and it has been confirmed that the ‘free education’ I previously advocated instead of the new airport is possible with separate funding."

He explained, "Unlike the Four Major Rivers Project, there has been a national consensus on the necessity of constructing the Gadeokdo, Gimhae, and Southeast region new airports," and said, "Only the location was controversial."

He also presented analysis results from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other sources, stating, "The air passenger demand for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam is projected to be 46 million by 2056, proving sufficient economic feasibility."

Furthermore, regarding his past claim that "it would be better to use the funds for the Southeast region new airport to provide free high school education," he changed his stance, saying, "It has been confirmed that there is financial capacity to pursue free education separately from the new airport construction," and added, "For example, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education decided to implement free education for all high school grades starting in 2021."

Earlier on the 19th, in response to Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticizing the Gadeokdo New Airport as "a project for next year’s Busan mayor by-election," Cho said, "I would gladly accept such criticism and name the airport accordingly," suggesting the name 'Gadeokdo Roh Moo-hyun International Airport' and posting it on his SNS.

[Image source = Screenshot from Cho Kuk, former Minister of Justice's Twitter]

However, it was revealed that about a month before the 19th general election in 2012 (April 2012), Cho criticized, saying, "As election season approaches, civil engineering pledges are rampant again," and "With 10 trillion won for the new airport, 10 years of free high school education is possible, and with 22 trillion won invested in the Four Major Rivers Project, basic livelihood security recipients can be supported for 3 years," sparking controversy.

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon mocked this by saying, "The Cho Man Dae Jang Gyeong (Cho Kuk + Palman Dae Jang Gyeong) is the Jeonggamnok of the 21st century," meaning "Everything that will happen in South Korea is already predicted in it." People Power Party lawmaker Cho Soo-jin also posted Cho’s writing from eight years ago, saying, "Wow, as expected."

As the controversy grew, Cho explained, "The Chosun Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo dug up my tweet from March 2012 to criticize my pro-Gadeokdo New Airport stance in November 2020. Thank you for your hard work finding it. My thoughts have changed over time."