Joo Ho-young: "Evidence of Pressure to Scrap Gimhae New Airport Emerges... Will Conduct Thorough Verification"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated that there is evidence suggesting that the power of authority suppressed the cancellation of Gimhae New Airport, and vowed to conduct a thorough verification.

On the morning of the 20th, Joo said at the floor countermeasure meeting, "Regarding Gimhae New Airport, some truly laughable incidents are occurring."

He pointed out, "There are signs everywhere that things were suppressed by the power of authority, telling people what to do," adding, "Kim Soo-sam, the head of the verification committee, says that they never canceled Gimhae New Airport, but the verification committee members testify that government data was too insufficient and that they felt like mere figureheads for the ruling party."

Joo criticized, "The verification committee's request is nothing more or less than to comprehensively review the existing Gimhae New Airport plan. They say they never even discussed the 'Ga' of Gadeokdo, so I don't know how to interpret this," and added, "In this clumsy and confusing situation, President Moon remains silent."

He said, "Perhaps to shift the Busan election from the 'Oh Keo-don sexual harassment election' to the airport issue, they are causing confusion without regard for national interest or policy, but the public will no longer be deceived and will make proper judgments," and vowed, "We will thoroughly investigate, verify, and hold accountable the total irresponsibility, lies, and inadequacies."

Regarding the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Joo said, "(The ruling party) has repeatedly stated that since the CIO chief requires opposition veto power, no one the opposition does not agree with can be appointed," adding, "This is not our demand; it is the law they emphasized multiple times that 'without opposition consent, it cannot be done' and created."

He criticized, "Now saying that the decision should be made according to the number of seats means they want to entrust it to their chosen person," and added, "The prosecution was devastated through Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, and now appointing their own person as CIO chief means they want to create a 'CIO dictatorship republic.'"

Regarding Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, he said, "I find it hard to understand the proposal to convert a hotel room into a leased space," and criticized, "Now that they say the Gimhae New Airport plan has been canceled and a new Southeast region airport construction phase has begun, no wonder Chairman Kim, who received the appointment letter, says it is strange."

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