"Name of Gadeokdo New Airport, 'Roh Moo-hyun International Airport' Suggested by Cho Kuk"

On the 17th, Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee "Fundamental Review Needed"
Some Ruling Party Lawmakers Express Support for Busan Gadukdo New Airport
Ahn Cheol-soo "Gadukdo Already Received Negative Evaluation 4 Years Ago"
"Must Prove with Data Why Analysis Was Wrong Back Then"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk proposed naming the ruling party's planned 'Gadeokdo New Airport' as 'Roh Moo-hyun International Airport.'

On the 19th, Cho shared an article on his Facebook post pointing out that the Gadeokdo New Airport project might be targeting local voters in the Busan mayoral by-election next April, saying, "I would gladly accept such criticism and name the airport accordingly. Gadeokdo Roh Moo-hyun International Airport."

Earlier, on the 17th, the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister's Office stated that "fundamental review is necessary" regarding the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's plan to build Gimhae New Airport. Following this, some members of the Democratic Party supported the alternative plan to construct a new airport on Gadeokdo in Busan.

The view of Gadeokdo, Busan, seen from the sky on the 16th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Democratic Party lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Business Committee held a press conference that day, stating, "It is clear that Gimhae New Airport cannot fully serve as the gateway airport for the southeastern region," and added, "If the expansion of Gimhae Airport proceeds as is, it will inevitably impose significant constraints not only on the economic development of the Yeongnam region but also on national balanced development."

They continued, "Gadeok New Airport already has the geographical advantage of being adjacent to Busan New Port, the world's fifth-largest container port, and serving as the terminus of the Eurasian Railway," emphasizing, "Through the establishment of a land, sea, and air integrated transportation system, it has sufficient potential to grow as a forward base of the Northeast Asian Silk Road beyond South Korea."

Additionally, some Democratic Party lawmakers representing constituencies in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam are pushing for a special law to expedite the construction of Gadeokdo New Airport.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, spoke at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, some in the political sphere criticized the ruling party's move as essentially an election-driven plan aimed at next year's by-election.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 19th, "The Democratic Party's strategy is to isolate Daegu and Gyeongbuk, bring Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam to their side, win next year's by-election, and shake up the presidential election two years later," adding, "After fully exploiting the situation, it seems highly likely that it will be quietly shelved for various practical reasons."

He also emphasized, "Gadeokdo was already rated the worst place four years ago by the Paris Airport Engineering Office, a global professional research institution," and said, "The government has the responsibility to scientifically prove why the analysis back then was wrong and why it is correct now."

He criticized, "As soon as the verification committee's announcement came out, the ruling party treated Gadeokdo New Airport as a fait accompli and even leaked the name 'Roh Moo-hyun Airport,' saying they would push it through by creating a special law with their 180-seat majority."

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