[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 26th at the Cabinet meeting, regarding the approval of the ‘Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Promotion Plan,’ “I expect the next government to do its best to ensure the early opening of Gadeokdo New Airport.”
Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, said in a written briefing that “President Moon conveyed that Gadeokdo New Airport is essential for national balanced development and the leap forward of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam) region.”
President Moon emphasized, “The construction of Gadeokdo New Airport, which has been a long-cherished wish of the residents in the southeastern region, has completed the preliminary feasibility study and today the Cabinet meeting approved the promotion plan, allowing exemption from the preliminary feasibility study, which I consider very meaningful.”
He continued, “This was possible because the government’s efforts for national balanced development were added to the earnest aspirations of the local residents,” and “The National Assembly also actively cooperated regardless of party lines through the enactment of a special law.”
He further stressed, “Gadeokdo New Airport is a core infrastructure for ultra-wide cooperation in Bu-Ul-Gyeong and a key logistics and transportation network for the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Special Union to leap forward as one of the eight mega cities in Northeast Asia,” emphasizing again, “The role of the next government is significant.”
However, President Moon expressed concern, saying, “There are worries about the increase in project costs and duration compared to initial expectations in the preliminary feasibility study,” and urged, “While respecting the results of the preliminary feasibility study as much as possible, it is necessary to explore various measures to reduce costs and shorten the project period.”
Meanwhile, regarding SK Bioscience’s confirmation of successful results in the Phase 3 clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine, President Moon said, “I am pleased that the tireless efforts and determination of SK Bioscience personnel have borne fruit,” and “I commend the roles and efforts of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for their extensive work to enable comparative clinical trials.”
President Moon added, “The vaccine developed by SK Bioscience uses the traditional synthetic antigen method, which has been verified through flu vaccines and others, and has the advantage of higher safety compared to mRNA vaccines,” and requested, “When SK Bioscience applies for approval, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should conduct a thorough and prompt verification of safety and strive to ensure it can be utilized not only domestically but also overseas.”
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