Spokesperson's Statement Released
"Withdraw Authoritarian Push"
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Council (Chairman Park Seongman) stated on the 7th that Mayor Hong Joonpyo of Daegu is unilaterally pushing forward the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport construction project, and emphasized that issues should be resolved through dialogue and compromise.
Park Gyutak, a council member from the People Power Party and spokesperson of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council, released a statement that afternoon, saying, "The North Gyeongsang Provincial Council expresses deep regret regarding Mayor Hong Joonpyo's recent claim of a 'Plan B' to unilaterally proceed with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport project in Ubo-myeon, Gunwi-gun, solely by Daegu City. This claim overturns a project that North Gyeongsang and Daegu have jointly pursued for years through democratic procedures. Legally, it is known that if Daegu City (Gunwi-gun) withdraws its application, it is impossible to solely attract the airport to Ubo-myeon, Gunwi, which is the next candidate site."
Park Kyutak, spokesperson for the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, is delivering a statement regarding the new airport.
Spokesperson Park said, "The integrated new airport project originated from Daegu City's long-standing desire to relocate Daegu Airport, which has severely affected residents' property rights due to extreme aircraft noise. As airports are typically considered undesirable facilities, Daegu could not find a relocation site. However, with the residents' aspiration to develop their region despite the noise issue, the relocation to Uiseong and Gunwi was pursued. A resident vote was held to select the airport site, and after democratic procedures and much difficulty, including incorporating Gunwi into Daegu, Uiseong and Gunwi were finally chosen as the location."
Park continued, "Thanks to the bold decision by North Gyeongsang Province and its council, Daegu was able to address both the airport noise issue and administrative district expansion. However, dismissing the residents' legitimate demand to at least locate the cargo terminal in Uiseong as a 'selfish demand by an interest group,' and bringing back the already discarded Ubo-myeon, Gunwi proposal as 'Plan B' to push forward solely by Daegu City, as Mayor Hong Joonpyo claims, seems to mock North Gyeongsang's bold decision to give up Gunwi. How should we accept this?" he questioned.
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Council stated, "After the much-promised SPC (Special Purpose Company) for the redevelopment of Daegu's former airport site fell through, it seems Daegu is shifting its focus elsewhere and trying to shift responsibility. The integrated new airport is not a matter to be used for political achievements by local leaders, but a centennial plan for the residents and citizens. The North Gyeongsang Provincial Council urges Mayor Hong Joonpyo of Daegu to immediately withdraw his unilateral push and resolve the integrated new airport issue through dialogue and compromise, so that the airport can definitely open in 2030."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
