Joo Ho-young "Gimhae New Airport, Recklessly Pushed Ahead Before Next Year's By-election... Audit Board Review Needed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, emphasized the need for an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding the feasibility issue of Gimhae New Airport, stating, "It seems they are forcibly pushing for changes to gain any advantage ahead of next year's Busan mayoral by-election."

On the morning of the 17th, during a virtual party meeting at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Joo said, "The consistency of major national projects and adherence to procedures must be thoroughly examined."

Gimhae New Airport is a project initiated in 2006 under the directive of former President Roh Moo-hyun, based on the judgment that a new airport was needed in the Yeongnam region. It was scrapped in 2011 but reinstated after a re-investigation in 2013, decided upon by agreement among the five metropolitan governors of Yeongnam. However, as the government began feasibility verification, the possibility of it being scrapped again has increased. The Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister's Office will announce the verification results at the Government Seoul Office building this afternoon.

Floor Leader Joo pointed out, "It seems they are forcibly pushing for such changes to gain electoral advantage ahead of next year's Busan mayoral by-election," adding, "According to media reports, the Blue House mentioned this issue, which seems to be a mirror image of the 'Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1' issue."

He said, "Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi have consistently stated that there are no problems with Gimhae New Airport," and added, "We will go through a process of examining whether the policy change is appropriate through an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection."

Regarding the recommendation of a candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI), he said, "Let's announce the HOCI chief and the Special Inspector together," and added, "I hope the Democratic Party of Korea sincerely participates in nominating the Special Inspector and the North Korean Human Rights Ambassador."

Floor Leader Joo also urged, "Timing is very important for vaccine inoculation, but 90% of the Pfizer vaccines available for supply have already been contracted through advance purchases by other countries, and the government has not achieved securing even the remaining small quantities," calling for measures to be taken immediately.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in also expressed concern, saying, "The COVID-19 situation is developing more severely than the government expected," and added, "I understand that next year's budget was prepared on the premise that the crisis has been somewhat overcome, but considering the recent situation, I think the spread of COVID-19 may accelerate."

He continued, "The budget allocation focuses on untact companies and those enjoying a boom, but it seems there is little consideration for people in difficult circumstances due to the COVID-19 crisis, such as self-employed and small business owners," and said, "please take into account so that there will be no further talks of supplementary budgets due to unexpected COVID-19 situations if the budget passes in early December."

The People Power Party will finalize the primary election rules through the party meeting held that day. Chairman Kim said, "Based on current achievements, next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections are elections that can be won smoothly," and added, "What is important is what procedures are followed to properly select candidates."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.