Governor Park Wansu: "I Will Not Hesitate to Hold Solo Protests"
Gyeongnam Province submitted a special law on the establishment and operation of the Aerospace Agency to the National Assembly last April, but amid partisan conflicts and disputes with related organizations, it has yet to pass the National Assembly floor for nearly half a year.
Gyeongnam Province, Sacheon City, local lawmakers, and residents repeatedly urged the passage of the special law on the Aerospace Agency and the establishment of the agency on the 23rd, the expiration date of the agenda adjustment committee of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, which is reviewing the special law.
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is presiding over the meeting of department and bureau heads. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, said at the morning meeting of department heads, "If necessary, I will even hold a one-person protest at the National Assembly to pass the special law on the Aerospace Agency."
He added, "Since the ruling party also intends to pass the special law on the Aerospace Agency during this regular session of the National Assembly, we must strongly convey the province's position to the National Assembly and the government."
Park Dong-sik, Mayor of Sacheon City, held a one-person protest in front of the National Assembly, saying, "How long will we just watch the 1,300 trillion won space market?" to urge the establishment of the Aerospace Agency.
He also said, "Conflicts of interest that inevitably arise during the policy decision-making process should not escalate into regional conflicts or ruin the national century plan to establish the Aerospace Agency."
Park Dong-sik, Mayor of Sacheon City, Gyeongnam Province, is holding a solo protest in front of the National Assembly, urging the passage of the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency and its opening. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Gyeongnam Province, Sacheon City, and People Power Party lawmaker Choi Hyung-doo held a forum at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to discuss the early opening of the Aerospace Agency.
About 450 people attended the forum, including lawmakers, representatives from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Aerospace Industry Promotion Association, Hanwha Aerospace, university professors, journalists, industry-academia-research officials from Gyeongnam, and local residents.
They unanimously urged the swift passage of the special law on the Aerospace Agency, emphasizing that the agency should not be treated as a subject of political strife or compromise, and highlighted the necessity and urgency of establishing and opening the Aerospace Agency.
Before attending the forum, a rally was also held in front of the Democratic Party headquarters to urge the passage of the special law on the Aerospace Agency.
Members of the National Assembly from the Gyeongnam region and residents are urging the passage of the Special Act on the Space and Aviation Agency in the National Assembly and the agency's opening. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
In a congratulatory message sent to the forum, Governor Park said, "Our country is trying to accelerate to keep up with leading space development nations, but it is regrettable that the special law on the Aerospace Agency is being held back in the National Assembly," adding, "The century plan for the Republic of Korea should not be influenced by specific interests."
He added, "I expect the National Assembly, with concern for the nation's future, will no longer delay and will make a magnanimous decision."
Before the forum, lawmakers from the Gyeongnam region, excluding the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office.
People Power Party lawmakers Kang Ki-yoon, Kang Min-guk, Kim Young-sun, Kim Tae-ho, Park Dae-chul, Seo Il-jun, Yoon Young-seok, Yoon Han-hong, Lee Dal-gon, Jeong Jeom-sik, Cho Hae-jin, Choi Hyung-doo, and independent lawmaker Ha Young-je declared, "We will face the future of Korea's space economy with a resolve of 'fight to live' (必死則生)," demanding the passage of the special law on the Aerospace Agency.
The lawmakers said, "The promotion of the special law on the Aerospace Agency, which completes Korea's space economy tripartite system, is once again being delayed in the National Assembly," and asked, "Can we delay the establishment of the Aerospace Agency, which will realize Korea as a space power, because of political strife?"
They added, "Even now, the ruling and opposition parties should complete the space industry cluster tripartite system consisting of the Daejeon R&D specialized zone, Jeonnam launch vehicle specialized zone, and Gyeongnam satellite specialized zone by establishing the Aerospace Agency," and said, "No interest related to the Aerospace Agency law can take precedence over national interests."
A forum on the early opening of the Space Aviation Agency is being held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Earlier, Gyeongnam Province, led by Governor Park Wan-su, formed a Gyeongnam delegation and visited world-class aerospace institutions such as NASA and its Goddard Space Flight Center to prepare for the early opening of the Aerospace Agency.
The province said, "We are preparing temporary and main office candidates for the Aerospace Agency to be established in Sacheon, and are also promoting the construction of an aerospace complex city to ensure the successful settlement of the Aerospace Agency and establish living conditions for its personnel," adding, "We will be ready to open the Aerospace Agency at any time."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
