Jin Joong-kwon: "Just name it 'Moon Jae-in Airport,' why insist on Roh Moo-hyun..."

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon sarcastically suggested calling the new Busan Gadukdo Airport, which the Democratic Party of Korea is promoting, the "Moon Jae-in Airport" in response to some calls to name it "Roh Moo-hyun International Airport."

On the 19th, Jin wrote on his Facebook, "(The Gadukdo New Airport) is a gift from President Moon," adding, "We have to pay for the gift, but why drag Roh Moo-hyun into this... This is what is called clientelism."

He also added, "President Roh Moo-hyun would have opposed building an airport because of the by-election."

In response, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok commented on Jin’s post, saying, "What nonsense is this? The airport should be named after the person who contributed the most to building it," and added, "Let’s call it the Oh Geo-don Airport." This appears to mock the fact that former Busan Mayor Oh Geo-don resigned due to a sexual harassment scandal, leading to a by-election.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk advocated naming the Gadukdo New Airport the "Roh Moo-hyun Airport."

On the same day, Cho shared an article on his Facebook claiming that "the Gadukdo New Airport project is a move aimed at the Busan mayoral by-election in April next year," and suggested, "I would gladly accept such criticism and name the airport 'Gadukdo Roh Moo-hyun International Airport!'" This seems to honor the efforts of the Participatory Government, which first officially reviewed the Gadukdo New Airport plan.

Earlier, on the 17th, the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee announced the need for a fundamental re-examination regarding the expansion of Gimhae New Airport, accelerating the ruling party’s push for the Gadukdo New Airport. This has sparked heated debates inside and outside the political sphere over the naming of the new airport.

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