Presidential Candidates Visit Busan... But No Mention of "Gadeokdo"
Overflow of Promises on Private Relocation and Maritime Court... New Airport Is "Passed Over"
"They Shouted for Votes..." Now Silence in Crisis
Virtual "Deadlock" as Hyundai E&C and Ministry of Land Clash
As the presidential election campaign intensifies and major candidates continue to visit Busan, the city's most long-awaited project, the Gadeokdo New Airport, is being thoroughly ignored. Local sentiment is cold. While promises are pouring in regarding the relocation of private company headquarters and the fostering of the marine industry, many point out that the Gadeokdo New Airport issue, which is central to genuine regional balanced development, remains in a 'political blind spot' with neither a roadmap nor supplementary budget in sight.
On May 13 and 14, Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party and Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party of Korea both visited Busan in succession, but the Gadeokdo New Airport was left out of their main messages. During his campaign speech in Seomyeon, Lee presented a vision for Busan as a 'marine capital,' mentioning the relocation of HMM, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Maritime Court, but did not say a single word about the new airport. Kim, during his campaign at Jagalchi Market, only made a general statement that he would "definitely get it done," but did not present any concrete plans regarding construction delays or budget issues.
In contrast, the relocation of the Korea Development Bank was a hot topic. Lee criticized the unilateral push by the Yoon administration, stating that "politicians should not promise what is impossible," while Kim reaffirmed his commitment to the relocation, saying "there is nothing difficult about it." However, both remained silent on the contract termination crisis facing the Gadeokdo New Airport.
The Gadeokdo New Airport is now facing a virtual deadlock. This 13.5 trillion won project saw the Hyundai Engineering & Construction consortium reject the contract terms, demanding an extension of the construction period and an increase in project costs, prompting the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to initiate contract termination procedures. Although the original goal was to open the airport in 2029, the possibility of a re-bidding process has been raised, leading to concerns not only about a delay in the opening but also about the potential cancellation of the entire project. Since the Hyundai E&C consortium became the preferred bidder after four failed bidding rounds, finding an alternative contractor is considered virtually impossible.
Local sentiment remains cold. Criticisms continue from local media, civic groups, and experts, with comments such as "They promise Gadeokdo when they want votes, but go silent after the election," and "Even though this national project is on the brink of collapse, politicians are staying quiet, calling it a sensitive issue." While the relocation of HMM, the Maritime Court, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is also important, there is a strong consensus in the region that "the project that will form the backbone of Busan's development is ultimately Gadeokdo." However, even in this presidential election, the ongoing 'election-time silence' without any real measures is making local sentiment increasingly colder.
The Gadeokdo New Airport is not just 'an airport for Busan.' With a total production inducement effect of 28.9209 trillion won (of which 18.3272 trillion won is in Busan) and an employment inducement effect of 116,540 people (73,747 in Busan), it is the largest-ever national project since the founding of Korea and the core infrastructure for the southeastern mega-city. Nevertheless, it is being thoroughly ignored during the presidential campaign. A construction industry official commented, "There is a great deal of fatigue regarding mega-projects whose direction changes every time the administration changes," adding, "The lack of any serious discussion even in this presidential election is an even greater disappointment."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
