The Only One Among TK Personnel... Hong Joon-pyo "Actively Support Gadeokdo New Airport"

Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Hong Joon-pyo, an independent lawmaker representing the TK (Daegu·Gyeongbuk) region, stated on the 17th that he "actively supports the Gadukdo New Airport project based on the premise of abolishing Gimhae Airport," following the government's decision to scrap the Gimhae New Airport plan. He is the only lawmaker from the TK region to express support, and some analysts interpret his remarks as a move considering a future presidential run.

On the same day, Hong wrote on his Facebook, "I had already predicted a month ago that the Moon Jae-in administration would push for the Gadukdo New Airport project ahead of the Busan mayoral by-election," expressing his position.

He continued, "In conclusion, I actively support the Gadukdo New Airport," and pointed out, "Having Incheon Airport, centered in the metropolitan area, handle more than 90% of South Korea's air logistics is neither suitable for balanced regional development nor can it prevent the concentration of advanced industries in the metropolitan area."

He further emphasized, "The metropolitan area and Gangwon Province should use Incheon Airport, Chungcheong and TK should use the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, the PK (Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam) region should use the Gadukdo New Airport, and Honam should integrate Gwangju Airport into Muan Airport and upgrade it to become regional gateway airports. This would enable a large-scale relocation of metropolitan advanced industries to the provinces, promoting balanced regional development."

Finally, Hong asserted, "Special laws for the Gadukdo New Airport, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport, and Gwangju Airport relocation should be enacted simultaneously to achieve balanced national development," adding, "This will be a historic starting point for opening new air routes in South Korea."

Earlier, the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister's Office announced that a fundamental re-examination of the Gimhae New Airport, concluded during the Park Geun-hye administration, is necessary. Consequently, political circles are rapidly moving to revive the 'Gadukdo New Airport' project.

However, except for Hong, local figures from the TK region have expressed opposition, stating that "the Gimhae New Airport expansion project should be maintained," and it is expected that conflicts within and outside the political sphere over the new airport project will intensify.

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