Gadeok New Airport Emerges as a Major Issue in By-Elections... Also Showing Signs of 'Internal Division'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahead of the Busan mayoral by-election scheduled for April next year, the scrapping of Gimhae New Airport is shaking up the internal dynamics of the People Power Party due to the issue of Gadeokdo New Airport. Candidates for the party’s Busan mayoral nomination have been making successive statements supporting the Gadeok New Airport, but lawmakers from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region are strongly opposing it.

Within the party leadership, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, who is from Gyeongbuk, has launched an offensive, saying that the scrapping of Gimhae New Airport should be questioned through an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, while Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in expressed regret but also indicated support for the Gadeokdo New Airport, revealing differences of opinion. The big issue of Gadeokdo New Airport is showing signs of 'intra-party division.'

Park Hyung-joon, a professor at Dong-A University and considered one of the leading opposition candidates for Busan mayor, stated on Facebook on the 18th, "The Gadeokdo New Airport will be a catalyst for the development of the entire southern region," welcoming the scrapping of Gimhae New Airport and proposing, "Let’s create a logistics hub airport connecting industry and ports as a gateway to Northeast Asia."

Former lawmaker Park Min-sik, who was the first in the opposition to declare his intention to run for Busan mayor, also said, "I welcome the scrapping of Gimhae New Airport," urging, "President Moon Jae-in should express his will to promote the Gadeokdo New Airport through a special address." Seo Byung-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker and former Busan mayor, said, "With the Busan mayoral by-election coming up in April next year, the politics of the new airport has begun," and added, "Declare that you will build the Gadeokdo New Airport." Senior Busan-area lawmakers such as Ha Tae-kyung and Jang Je-won have also come out in support of the Gadeokdo New Airport.

However, signs of division are emerging as lawmakers from the TK region, the traditional stronghold of the People Power Party, are opposing the move. On the 17th, all TK-origin People Power Party lawmakers issued a statement saying, "We cannot help but feel devastated that a decided national project is suddenly being reversed for the Busan mayoral by-election and that the Gimhae New Airport construction project is being reconsidered," emphasizing, "The Gimhae New Airport expansion project must be maintained."

There are also conflicting statements within the party leadership. Floor Leader Joo emphasized that this is a "carbon copy of the Wolseong Unit 1 case," and said, "We will hold those responsible for any irregularities or illegalities in the project change process accountable," expressing his intention to push for an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection. On the other hand, Chairman Kim expressed regret that "the government’s policy consistency is not being maintained," but also showed a positive stance, saying, "(The government) has no choice but to actively consider the Gadeokdo Airport." The conflicting interests of Chairman Kim, who has a great responsibility to lead the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections to victory, and Floor Leader Joo, who must consider the sentiments of the TK region, are causing friction.

Regarding the TK opposition, Professor Park appeared on MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus" on the same day and said, "Whether it is located in Miryang or Gadeokdo, the distance from Daegu is not that great," adding, "If we seek ways to create synergy and put our heads together, that conflict will not be repeated as it was in the past."

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