Blazing Gadeokdo New Airport... Opposition Busan Mayoral Candidates' Pledge Rush

Eonju Lee: "There Must Be a Large International Airport in the Southern Region"
Jinbok Lee Proposes 'New City' Development as First Pledge
Ruling Party to Introduce Gadeokdo Special Act This Week

Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju is holding a publication celebration for the 'Busan Independence Declaration' at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 23rd. Lee has effectively entered the race for the Busan mayoral by-election. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Both ruling and opposition parties are rushing to promote the Gadeokdo New Airport project. This is a move to seize the issue ahead of next year's Busan mayoral by-election. As the government and ruling party unveiled the Gadeokdo New Airport card, the People Power Party's Busan mayoral candidates put the Gadeokdo New Airport and regional development issues at the forefront.

Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju stated at the 'Busan Independence Declaration' book launch held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido on the afternoon of the 23rd, "The cause of this election is the sexual harassment by the Democratic Party mayor. We must not forget this," adding, "We must not be put on the defensive by the new airport frame." Lee emphasized, "In the mid to long term, there should be a large international airport in the southern region. Gimhae Airport should be left only as a military airport, and all civil aviation should be moved to Gadeokdo," and added, "Being located at sea ensures safety from noise pollution, and it can be expanded if needed in the future."

Former lawmaker Lee Jin-bok declared his candidacy for Busan mayor on the morning of the same day and announced the creation of 'New City' (SEA:TY, Sea+City) as his number one pledge. Lee said, "This project involves reclaiming 2 million square meters of land in the outer sea area of Busan South Port from 2022 to 2030 to create a city," and added, "It will play a key role in establishing the Busan New Marine Tourism Belt connecting East Busan, the old downtown, West Busan, and Gadeokdo New Airport, as well as providing a new alternative for revitalizing Busan's old downtown areas such as Yeongdo-gu, Seo-gu, and Jung-gu."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Other People Power Party candidates share similar positions. Former lawmaker Park Min-sik said on Facebook on the 17th, "We must no longer deceive the citizens of Busan," and urged, "President Moon Jae-in should clearly express his commitment to promoting the Gadeokdo New Airport in a special address." Former joint election campaign committee chairman Park Hyung-joon said on the 18th, "Even if this is politically exploited with election considerations, I will not blame it," adding, "The Gadeokdo New Airport will be a catalyst for the development of the entire southern region." Following Park's official candidacy announcement on the 9th, former lawmakers Yoo Jae-jung and Park Hyung-joon are expected to declare their candidacies at the end of this month and early next month, respectively. Additionally, lawmakers Seo Byung-soo and former lawmaker Yoo Ki-joon are also mentioned as potential Busan mayoral candidates.

Earlier, People Power Party lawmakers from the Busan region proposed the 'Busan Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act' on the 20th. The special act includes provisions to exempt the preliminary feasibility study for the Gadeokdo New Airport, thereby accelerating the airport's construction. All 15 People Power Party lawmakers from the Busan region jointly sponsored this bill.

The Democratic Party will also propose a special act for the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport this week. Chief spokesperson Choi In-ho said immediately after a closed-door high-level strategy meeting on the 23rd, "We have nearly completed reviewing the draft and plan to propose it within this week," adding, "The location will be Gadeokdo, Gangseo-gu, Busan, and it will include an exemption from the preliminary feasibility study." The Democratic Party aims to pass the special act by the end of this year or at the latest by early next year.