Justice Party: "Gadeokdo Preliminary Feasibility Exemption is Irresponsible... Project Appropriateness Must Be Verified"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Justice Party criticized the government's exemption of the preliminary feasibility study for the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport as an "irresponsible" act. The Justice Party insisted that a preliminary feasibility study should be conducted regarding the Gadeokdo New Airport.

On the 25th, Jang Tae-su, spokesperson for the Justice Party, stated at a briefing in the National Assembly communication office, "The results show that the feasibility of constructing the Gadeokdo New Airport is not significant," and added, "What the government should do now is to accurately verify the appropriateness of the project through a preliminary feasibility study, given the results indicating the project's feasibility is remarkably low."

Spokesperson Jang introduced, "The final report of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's preliminary feasibility review shows that the cost-benefit ratio of constructing the Gadeokdo New Airport is only around 0.5," and explained, "Contrary to initial expectations, costs have increased, the duration has lengthened, and passenger and cargo volumes are expected to decrease according to the preliminary feasibility results." Regarding this, he elaborated, "This confirms what the Justice Party had already predicted?that the Gadeokdo New Airport is a 'political airport where only votes, not passengers and logistics, circulate,' as verified by government agencies."

Spokesperson Jang criticized the government's attempt to exempt the preliminary feasibility study for the Gadeokdo New Airport construction through the Cabinet meeting as "self-contradictory" and "an irresponsible act that shirks responsibility." He stated that even under the special law for the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, "the provision that 'the preliminary feasibility study can be exempted' is no different from saying 'the preliminary feasibility study can be conducted.'"

He added, "The preliminary feasibility study includes not only economic viability but also analyses of regional underdevelopment improvement, regional economic ripple effects, and employment inducement effects, so there is no basis to push for exemption from the preliminary feasibility study."

He then addressed outgoing President Moon Jae-in, who is set to retire next month, saying, "If he intends to become a 'forgotten person' who 'repays by doing his best until the very end,' then President Moon's choice tomorrow seems clear," and requested that he oppose the exemption of the preliminary feasibility study.