Ruling Party Proposes 'Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act'... "We Will Do Our Best to Open by 2030"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea proposed the "Special Act for the Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport," which involves building the Southeast region's new airport on Gadeokdo, on the 26th.

Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae and lawmakers from Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, including Kim Du-gwan, Kim Jeong-ho, Park Jae-ho, Lee Sang-heon, Jeon Jae-su, and Choi In-ho, visited the National Assembly's main building legislative affairs office to submit the bill on the same day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After submitting the bill, Chair Han told reporters, "Despite discussions on the necessity of Gadeokdo New Airport as an aviation logistics hub and gateway to the Southeast region, the political circles have not properly responded to that request until now. Today, we united with that intention to submit the bill. We sincerely thank and apologize to the citizens of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam who have patiently waited for nearly 20 years."

Lawmaker Choi said, "The reason so many lawmakers could participate is thanks to the full support and encouragement from the Democratic Party leadership, including Representative Lee Nak-yeon and Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon," adding, "We plan to encourage the government policies such as airport site selection and exemption from preliminary feasibility studies (PFS) to be well reflected so that the construction schedule can be shortened as much as possible."

Lawmaker Jeon also emphasized, "This is the day to put an end to the 20-year controversy over the Southeast region new airport," and said, "We will do our best to quickly merge the bill submitted by the People Power Party and open the airport by 2030."

Regarding opposition from opposition party lawmakers from Daegu and Gyeongbuk, Chair Han responded, "I understand there are some opposing opinions within the opposition floor, but both ruling and opposition parties agree on the principle of establishing Gadeokdo New Airport," and added, "If lawmakers persuade with one heart, I think there will be no major problems."

On the issue of exemption from the PFS for Gadeokdo New Airport and some criticism that there are too many exemptions, Chair Han said, "From the perspective of national balanced development, the National Balanced Development Act allows for PFS exemptions," and explained, "If we aim for use by the 2030 Busan Expo, time reduction is possible if all ministries review through regulatory sandbox, etc. It reflects the will to pursue proactive administration."

Lawmaker Jeon added, "The PFS measures economic feasibility," and said, "Please watch over Gadeokdo New Airport with the values of national balanced development and overcoming concentration in the metropolitan area and local extinction."

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