No matter what the ministry says, the ruling party's Busan-bound train runs carrying 'Gadeok Airport'

Despite unified opposition from the Ministry of Land, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Economy and Finance,
the ruling party pushes forward the original bill for the special law simplifying Sata and Yeta
Lee Nak-yeon and Kim Tae-nyeon to visit Busan again this afternoon
The Medical Service Act amendment bill is also likely to pass the Judiciary Committee today

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun, Oh Joo-yeon, Geum Bo-ryeong] Three government ministries?the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance?have simultaneously pointed out problems with the ‘Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act,’ but the ruling party, with the Busan mayoral by-election imminent, has clearly stated its position to pass the original bill. They plan to process the bill at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 25th and push for approval at the plenary session the following day.

With some opposition voices within the ruling party subsiding ahead of the bill’s passage, and the opposition People Power Party, also mindful of the election, not strongly opposing it, the bill’s passage appears to be a foregone conclusion. Furthermore, the Democratic Party leadership scheduled a visit to Busan on the same day, focusing on widely promoting the determination to pass the Gadeokdo Special Act in the region.

According to the National Assembly on the 25th, the Democratic Party reaffirmed its plan to process about 70 bills, including the ‘Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act’ and other bills referred from different standing committees, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at 2 p.m. on the 25th and at the plenary session on the 26th. On that day, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee will review not only the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act but also the Medical Service Act amendment, the Jeju 4·3 Special Act, and the Good Landlord Tax Credit Act. Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at the policy coordination meeting, "The Gadeok New Airport Special Act will definitely be processed," adding, "We will concentrate our party’s efforts on legislative achievements, including this special act and other contentious bills."

Kim Young-choon, Park In-young, and Byun Sung-wan, preliminary candidates for the Democratic Party of Korea's Busan mayoral primary, along with lawmakers from the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, held a joint press conference on the 19th in front of the National Assembly main building to advocate for the passage of the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, the opposition from government ministries is acting as a negative factor in public opinion. The problem lies in the simplification of the preliminary feasibility study and preliminary economic feasibility study procedures for a national project with a budget of about 2.8 trillion won. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expressed opposition in a 15-page report titled ‘Gadeok Airport Report’ sent to the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee members earlier this month, stating that the project lacks feasibility in seven areas: safety, constructability, operability, environmental impact, economic feasibility, accessibility, and air traffic demand. The Ministry of Justice also stated in the report, "It is not unconstitutional, but there is a concern that it violates due process and the principle of equality." The Ministry of Economy and Finance emphasized, "The Gadeokdo New Airport should undergo site selection and preliminary feasibility review like any other general project before receiving economic feasibility verification."

Nonetheless, within the Democratic Party, the prevailing sentiment is that "nothing will change." Yoo Dong-su, senior deputy chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, said, "There is nothing controversial in the National Assembly," and added, "The bill will proceed as originally submitted to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

The party leadership has moved into ‘action.’ The Democratic Party held a ‘Southeast Mega City Construction Strategy Report’ in Busan that afternoon, announcing plans related to building a ‘logistics tri-port’ linking the Gadeokdo New Airport (aviation), Busan New Port (port), and the Gyeongbu Line (railroad). Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and floor leader Kim are expected to express the achievements of the Gadeokdo New Airport bill locally. Lee met with the Gadeok New Airport Promotion Citizens’ Headquarters the previous day and said regarding the special act, "We will open the airport before the 2030 World Expo," adding, "Citizens of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam do not need to worry at all."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Medical Service Act amendment, which the Korean Medical Association called ‘excessive legislation’ and threatened ‘strike action,’ is also expected to pass the Legislation and Judiciary Committee hurdle that day. The amendment includes provisions to revoke medical licenses if a doctor receives a prison sentence or higher. Although the medical community even staged a boycott of COVID-19 vaccinations as a last resort, they have since retreated, agreeing with the legislative intent amid worsening public opinion.

However, they maintain their position that the scope of license revocation is too broad. The opposition party also raises concerns about the ‘timing,’ but since the Medical Service Act amendment is already an agreed matter between the ruling and opposition parties, there is no strong opposition. Kim Do-eup, the opposition party’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "In the COVID-19 situation, provoking doctors only makes the public more anxious," adding, "We need to communicate and encourage them and consider the timing carefully." Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, also mentioned at the emergency committee briefing that day, "Since the Democratic Party holds the majority seats, there is nothing to say about the Medical Service Act amendment."