'MOU for the Success of Gadeokdo New Airport and Regional Economic Revitalization'
The government has joined hands with local governments in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam to develop Gadeokdo New Airport and the port into a global logistics hub in the southern region and to form a super-regional economic zone.
On the afternoon of the 20th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it would sign a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Success of Gadeokdo New Airport and Regional Economic Revitalization through Airport-Port Cooperation" at the industrial complex in Gangseo-gu, Busan, together with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Busan City, Ulsan City, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Corporation.
These organizations will activate the new airport by expanding the international air network and enhancing transportation network connectivity. They will also cooperate to develop the logistics business linking the new airport and the new port, ensuring that Gadeokdo New Airport establishes itself as a key airport in the southern region. Through regional infrastructure development, they will also promote the development of hinterland cities and the revitalization of the tourism industry.
The MOU also includes the formation of the "Gadeokdo New Airport Governance Council," which will involve the MOU signatories and about 30 related organizations. This is a measure to continue communication with the private sector for regional economic revitalization.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will open the new airport on schedule. It laid the groundwork for the project by establishing the Gadeokdo New Airport Construction Corporation in April, starting architectural design through an international design competition for the passenger terminal in July, and beginning the basic design for site development construction in October. Next year, site development construction is scheduled to begin, and design work for access roads and railway projects will also commence.
Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "Gadeokdo New Airport is a key task to resolve transportation disparities with the metropolitan area and to lead balanced national development. We will open it on time based on top-level service capabilities and safety." He added, "We will also support the expansion of international air networks through measures such as increasing exclusive transport rights for regional airports and fostering regional hub airlines."
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