People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol visited Jeju 4.3 Peace Park on the 5th and wrote in the guestbook. Candidate Yoon wrote, "We will warmly embrace the souls of the innocent victims together with the people." Photo by Park Chang-won
[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] On the 5th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated at a press conference held at Gangjeong Village Hall in Jeju Island that the second airport should come first rather than the Seoul-Jeju high-speed rail underwater tunnel pledge proposed by Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, and that the environmental preservation fund, known as the 'entry tax,' imposed when visiting Jeju Island is unreasonable.
At the press conference, Candidate Yoon expressed support for the construction of Jeju Island's second airport, saying that the second airport takes priority over the underwater tunnel for the Seoul-Jeju high-speed rail, which is one of the pledges of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung for Jeju Island.
He added, "The underwater tunnel is estimated to cost 17 trillion won. It is better to build the airport first and then make a judgment considering the demand from tourists and visitors to Jeju and economic feasibility." He emphasized, "For now, the construction of the second airport seems to be the priority."
Regarding the environmental preservation fund, known as the 'entry tax,' which the Democratic Party is pushing for legislation to impose when visiting Jeju Island, Candidate Yoon said, "There are pros and cons, but I agree with imposing an environmental preservation fund on acts that cause environmental damage. However, the uniform 'head tax' method of collecting a fixed amount from everyone entering Jeju Island is unreasonable."
Meanwhile, Candidate Yoon also expressed the opinion that facilities capable of environmentally friendly self-processing of waste batteries from electric vehicles and waste panels used in solar power within Jeju are necessary.
Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won captain@asiae.co.kr
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