People Power Party Mends Gadeokdo Division... Democratic Party Pressures for 'Participation'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party, which had been divided over the special law for the 'Gadeokdo New Airport,' has chosen to resolve the issue by focusing on 'procedural legitimacy' rather than setting a party stance. The Democratic Party, which had pointed out the opposition party's division on the party stance, increased pressure by urging cooperation in promoting the Gadeokdo New Airport. The floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties are scheduled to meet in the afternoon under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, but it remains uncertain whether a political agreement will be reached.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the emergency committee meeting that day, "Important national projects should be decided by top experts gathering to best serve the interests of the entire Republic of Korea," adding, "Whether to construct the Gadeokdo New Airport can only be decided after the government’s finalized plan is changed, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which has the authority regarding the Gimhae New Airport promotion, should first clarify whether that plan has been changed or not." He also stated, "The purpose of this law is to continue until a candidate agreed upon by the opposition party emerges in the recommendation committee for the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Office (PCCIO) chief," emphasizing, "We must not forget that this was originally designed by the Democratic Party."

He added, "The exact meaning of the verification content by the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee should be verified first, and then the Gadeokdo New Airport should be discussed as the next step." Earlier, Floor Leader Joo had criticized the Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) region lawmakers who proposed the special law for the Gadeokdo New Airport, raising concerns about 'party stance division.'

People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook also responded on Facebook that morning to the ruling party’s criticism that the party stance was divided over the Gadeokdo New Airport, saying, "'The criticism that the party stance is divided' denies the democratic process where individuals carefully consider their best options and eventually come together, showing an anachronistic notion that 'there must always be unity.'" Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker who led the proposal of the Gadeokdo New Airport special law, also suggested, "Let’s hold a trilateral meeting among Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam (PK), Daegu, Gyeongbuk (TK), and Gwangju-Honam to promote coexistence for regional gateway airports."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd via video conference and delivered opening remarks. On this day, the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting was held via video conference due to Lee's self-quarantine. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the other hand, the ruling party pressured the People Power Party to 'join the discussion on the Gadeokdo New Airport.' Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "We welcome the opposition lawmakers’ proposal of the Gadeokdo New Airport special law," adding, "We will soon submit a special law bill that has gone through consultations with local governments and the government to the National Assembly, so I hope the ruling and opposition party bills will be placed on the table together and swiftly merged and reviewed."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized, "Opposition-recommended committee members opposed all candidates recommended by neutral organizations such as the Korean Bar Association and the Court Administration," adding, "If the opposition party continues like this, even if they re-nominate ten times, the situation will not improve at all."

Regarding the scheduled meeting with Floor Leader Joo in the afternoon, Floor Leader Kim said, "Today’s floor leaders’ meeting is the last chance to launch the PCCIO through bipartisan agreement," emphasizing, "If there is no change in attitude from the People Power Party, the Democratic Party will have no choice but to amend the PCCIO law, and I want to make this clear once again."

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