[AKYUNG Poll] 7 out of 10 Busan Citizens Say "Gadeokdo New Airport Helps Economy"

Support Prevails Across Gender, Age, and Region
81.7% Overwhelming Support Among Democratic Party Backers
People Power Party Faces Tug-of-War Over Approval

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahead of the Busan mayoral by-election in April next year, about 7 out of 10 Busan citizens responded positively to the economic effects of the Gadukdo New Airport. However, a temperature difference was revealed between the supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party.

Asia Economy commissioned Win-G Korea Consulting to conduct a public opinion survey (100% mobile phone virtual numbers, automated response) on the 12th and 13th targeting 1,020 voters aged 18 or older residing in Busan. In response to the question, "How much do you think the Gadukdo New Airport will help the Busan regional economy in the future?" 68.1% answered "It helps," and 24.6% answered "It does not help." Supportive opinions were dominant across gender, age, and region.

Among Democratic Party supporters, 86.1% said it helps, and 9.3% said it does not. On the other hand, among People Power Party supporters, 57.1% said it helps, and 35.4% said it does not. Among the non-affiliated group, 56.6% and 29.2% responded respectively, showing a pattern similar to that of People Power Party supporters.

Regarding the promotion of the Gadukdo New Airport, 60.6% were in favor, and 28.2% were opposed. Supportive opinions were significantly ahead across gender, age, and region. Among Democratic Party supporters, support was overwhelming at 81.7%, while among People Power Party supporters, support was 46.5% and opposition 42.1%, showing a close split. Among the non-affiliated group, support was 44.3% and opposition 32.9%, indicating somewhat favorable support.

As the government and ruling party brought out the Gadukdo New Airport card, People Power Party Busan mayoral candidates also put the Gadukdo New Airport and regional development issues at the forefront. The Democratic Party proposed the "Special Act to Promote the Construction of Gadukdo New Airport" on the 26th of last month. This bill includes speeding up project promotion by exempting preliminary feasibility studies and providing financial support benefits from the state for airport-related infrastructure construction. Representative sponsor Han Jeong-ae, the Policy Committee Chair, and 136 Democratic Party lawmakers were listed as sponsors. Earlier, People Power Party lawmakers from the Busan region also submitted the "Busan Gadukdo New Airport Special Act" on the 20th of last month.

This survey was conducted on voters aged 18 or older residing in Busan Metropolitan City on the 12th and 13th, with an overall response rate of 7.3%, totaling 1,020 respondents. The survey method was wireless ARS with 100% mobile phone virtual numbers. The sample was extracted with weighted values by gender, age, and region based on the resident registration population as of the end of November 2020 from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (cell weighting). The sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For detailed survey information, refer to the Win-G Korea Consulting website or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.