"Discussion on Seoul Transfer Not for General Election Purposes"
Kim Byung-su, mayor of Gimpo City, explained the reason why Gimpo should be incorporated into Seoul rather than the Special Self-Governing Province of Northern Gyeonggi (Gyeonggi Bukdo) by stating, "Geographically and historically, as well as for the convenience of Gimpo citizens, I believe that incorporation into Seoul is the best option."
On the 31st, Mayor Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Match' and said, "Gimpo has effectively become an island, and even if it belongs to the southern province, it would be an exclave, a detached area, and the northern province is also practically separated by the Han River." He added, "Recently, in the case of Gunwi, when the airport was relocated, the entire Gunwi County was incorporated. Back in 1963, when Seoul incorporated Gimpo Airport, it would have been appropriate to incorporate the entire Gimpo County."
In particular, Mayor Kim argued that if Gimpo City is incorporated into Seoul, it could create Seoul Port and provide a growth engine for Seoul. He said, "There is a merit in Seoul having not only the Han River but also the sea. A real Seoul Port would be created," and added, "Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is promoting the Han River Renaissance, expanding it all the way to the estuary, which would allow for a comprehensive Han River program."
He continued, "If a port is established in Seoul, wouldn't the volume of goods and logistics be directly connected to Seoul?" and predicted, "Then Seoul's economic growth would be achieved, the economic scale would increase, and various industries could additionally emerge."
Mayor Kim also said, "Seoul has basically completed its development and has no available land, but Gimpo still has about 60% of its land available," adding, "In that case, Seoul can find new growth engines, and Gimpo can provide very useful available land."
Regarding concerns from some quarters that after incorporation into Seoul, Gimpo might have to accept undesirable facilities such as construction waste disposal sites and incinerators, he explained, "We have never discussed such issues," and added, "From Seoul's perspective, through the four landfills, they have secured the right to landfill 15% of the remaining landfill area, so there is no reason to create additional landfill sites in Gimpo."
On suspicions that Gimpo's incorporation into Seoul is an agenda for next year's general election, he said, "Gyeonggi Province is rushing to establish the Special Self-Governing Province of Northern Gyeonggi, so if we just let it pass, wouldn't we have to be incorporated into Gyeonggi Bukdo?" He continued, "Therefore, we brought out the Seoul incorporation plan we had prepared and strongly demanded and expedited it."
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