Ruling Party Southeast Region New Airport Promotion Team: "We Must Put an End to Exhaustive Controversies and Long-Standing Conflicts" Video Conference

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea's Southeast Region New Airport Promotion Team held a video conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 1st to discuss future plans, including the Southeast Region New Airport Special Act and budget.

Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "We agreed to hold a public hearing on the Special Act within this year and to pass the bill by the extraordinary session of the National Assembly in February next year at the latest."

On the 1st, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Southeast New Airport Promotion Task Force joint meeting held at the National Assembly via video conference and delivered an opening remark. Attending the meeting via video conference were Lee Nak-yeon, Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan, Han Cheol-soo, Chairman of Gyeongnam Chamber of Commerce, Song Cheol-ho, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Heo Young-do, Chairman of Busan Chamber of Commerce, and Jeon Young-do, Chairman of Ulsan Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Choi said, "Currently, the budget for next year is under review, and we requested support for the opinion to designate the 2 billion KRW airport-related budget passed by the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee specifically for the feasibility study of the Gadeokdo New Airport, and the leadership reached a consensus on this." He added, "The People Power Party is strongly opposing this, causing difficulties, but there was an agreement that the Democratic Party would actively push for its enactment."

He emphasized, "Among the attendees, there were many opinions expressing serious disappointment regarding statements that deliberately downplayed the Gadeokdo New Airport. There was a strong demand that such distorted claims should never be made again. The Gadeok New Airport will undoubtedly contribute not only to the Southeast Region's economy but also to the overall economic development of our country."

Regarding the issue of merging the Special Act submitted by the People Power Party for joint review, he responded, "If an agreement is reached between the secretaries of the Land Committee, it is expected to be implemented swiftly." He also added, "The public hearing on the Special Act will be held within this month."

Lee Nak-yeon, who attended the meeting, said, "The metropolitan area has become too oversized, and the non-metropolitan areas have become vulnerable, making the situation increasingly distorted. We have now reached a stage where we can no longer leave this as it is. Busan is preparing for the 2030 Expo, so urgent preparation for a new airport is necessary."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader, said, "The Democratic Party reiterates its commitment to responsibly promote the construction of the Gadeok New Airport as an irreversible national project." He emphasized, "We must move forward into the future and put an end to exhausting controversies and old conflicts." He added, "I would like to say that the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister's Office prioritized neutrality and expertise."