Kim Kyung-soo on New Airport: "Gadeokdo is the Best Alternative" ... "Safe and 24-Hour Operation Possible"

Facebook capture of Governor Kim Kyung-soo.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jucheol In] Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, stated that the Gimhae New Airport plan has been effectively discarded and expressed his intention to "swiftly promote a safe and 24-hour operational Southeast region new airport," identifying Gadukdo as the best alternative.

On the 17th, Governor Kim wrote on his Facebook, "The Prime Minister's Office Verification Committee concluded that it is practically difficult to make Gimhae New Airport a gateway airport for the Southeast region in many aspects," emphasizing, "It has been objectively proven that the Gimhae Airport expansion plan, repeatedly emphasized by Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, has many issues including safety, noise, and expandability."

He added, "As has been repeatedly stressed by Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, the Gimhae Airport expansion plan has objectively proven problems not only in safety but also in noise and expandability," and continued, "Now, we must promptly pursue an alternative Southeast region new airport that is safe and capable of 24-hour operations."

He further stated, "The new Southeast region airport should be one that can transform the region into a Northeast Asia logistics hub," emphasizing, "In particular, it must be able to connect with Busan New Port, which boasts the world's second-largest transshipment cargo volume, and naturally, 24-hour operation is essential to handle air cargo transportation demand."

Governor Kim mentioned Gadukdo, saying, "Through organic connections among airports, ports, and railways, the Southeast region, as the starting point of the continent and the gateway to the ocean, has natural conditions to become a Northeast Asia logistics hub," and added, "Currently, Gadukdo is considered the best alternative for an airport that can operate 24 hours and directly connect with Busan New Port."

He particularly explained, "To revitalize the 'high value-added logistics processing industry' utilizing the Southeast region's manufacturing strengths, ports and airports must be directly connected," and stated, "To establish a 'high value-added logistics processing industrial complex' in the hinterland cities of ports and airports where import and export are free, related systems must be improved and strategic government investment must be made."

Governor Kim emphasized, "The important thing now is speed," and said, "We will swiftly consult with the government, the National Assembly, and local communities to ensure follow-up measures are implemented as soon as possible, and accelerate the establishment of a Northeast Asia logistics hub centered on Gadukdo New Airport and Jinhae New Port."

He concluded by reiterating, "The best time to act is when you think it's too late," and stressed again, "We will promptly promote the 'Southeast region new airport' that opens a 'new future' for the Southeast region, not just the expansion of Gimhae Airport to increase passenger demand."

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