Hong Joonpyo, Who Left Daegu for Presidential Bid, Expresses Regret Over Difficulties Facing TK New Airport

Groundbreaking Scheduled for April Next Year...
Budget Not Secured
Administrative Integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk Has Effectively Fallen Through

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo has expressed regret over the difficulties facing the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) New Airport project. On September 11, Hong commented on social media regarding the TK New Airport, stating, "During my term, this was a project I devoted my utmost efforts to, aiming to secure the next 100 years for Daegu and Gyeongbuk," and added, "It is truly regrettable and disappointing that not even the budget has been secured this year."

Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers

Hong continued, "It was difficult to push forward with only the power of the Daegu mayor, so I repeatedly requested support from the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, but to no avail. During the presidential primary, I even pledged that if I came to power, I would not leave this to local governments but would convert it into a national fiscal project and have the government lead it." He further emphasized, "I have often said that I am just a passing wind, and that the true agents of innovation in Daegu are the citizens and public officials. Shouldn't we all join forces to urge the Lee Jaemyung administration to convert the new airport project into a national fiscal project, just like the Gadeokdo New Airport project?"

Daegu to be Run by Acting Mayor Until Next Year’s Local Elections

It is unusual for Hong to publicly state his position on major local issues in Daegu after resigning mid-term as mayor and losing in the presidential primary. After Hong stepped down from the mayoral post to run for president, Daegu has been operated under Acting Mayor Kim Jeongki and will remain so until the 2026 local elections. Key projects that Hong strongly promoted during his tenure-including the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and the relocation of Daegu’s water intake source-have faced difficulties under the Lee Jaemyung administration. In particular, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport project is likely to miss its 2030 opening target, as the core issue of securing funding remains unresolved. The administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk has effectively fallen through. Additionally, while the relocation of Daegu’s water intake source is now leaning toward moving the Gumi Haepyeong water intake plant rather than the Andong Dam as Hong had proposed, significant differences remain between the government and local authorities, resulting in little progress.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo presenting at the Daegu Gyeongbuk New Airport investment briefing held at the Fairmont Hotel in Seoul in 2023. Photo by Heo Younghan

Meanwhile, some have criticized the policies Hong pursued as mayor. On September 11, Daegu City Council member Kim Daehyun pointed out the negative consequences of the aggressive organizational expansion and consolidation of affiliated agencies carried out under Hong’s administration, urging a swift return to normal operations. Assemblyman Kim stated, "The former mayor focused on showpiece projects aimed at a presidential bid, indiscriminately merging affiliated agencies and expanding the main office’s organization. However, neither the promised administrative efficiency nor fiscal soundness was achieved. In the end, only bloated organizational management and harm to citizens remain as side effects." He added, "For example, the number of employees at the Public Facilities Management Corporation increased from 1,433 in 2022 to 1,590 in 2024, and personnel expenses surged from 68.3 billion won to 81.5 billion won. The original intent of integration-efficiency and fiscal soundness-has disappeared, leaving only a heavier burden on taxpayers."