Kim Young-chun: "People Power Party is like belatedly grabbing a spoon and jumping into the new airport project"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Young-chun, former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and the Democratic Party candidate for the Busan mayoral by-election, emphasized the Gadeokdo New Airport as the core of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (PK) megacity, criticizing the People Power Party as "like belatedly grabbing a spoon and jumping in." Regarding the pardon of former presidents, he mentioned that if apology and public consensus are prerequisites, President Moon Jae-in could make a decision.

On the 14th, Kim appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and said, "The alternative of creating an economic community by linking 8 million people in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, competing with Seoul as a megacity, and becoming a key economic block in Northeast Asia for global business is already underway," adding, "One of the core elements is the Gadeokdo New Airport, which is why I am calling for its swift construction." He continued, "Some People Power Party lawmakers mocked it as an airport for drying chili peppers, but for Busan and Gyeongnam regions, it is an urgent survival means for future development."

Yoon Hee-sook, a People Power Party lawmaker, stated on Facebook last November, "The problem is that the global aviation industry is being reorganized worldwide after the outbreak of COVID-19. Whether the airport will be activated or just used for drying chili peppers on the runway depends on airlines opening routes, and it is inappropriate to hastily finalize plans by recklessly estimating aviation demand in the current situation."

When People Power Party candidates also advocated for the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, Kim said, "The Park Geun-hye administration gave the fake name Gimhae New Airport and created an expansion plan for Gimhae Airport through political compromise, and those people all supported it. Now, the Democratic Party is working hard to fight and say that Gimhae Airport is not suitable, as it cannot operate passenger or cargo flights at night and is an airport where economic activities are difficult, so we must build a new airport in Gadeokdo, which is almost being realized. It is like belatedly grabbing a spoon and jumping in."

He added, "Even then, only Busan lawmakers reluctantly do so, while Daegu and Gyeongbuk lawmakers oppose it. The People Power Party central leadership shows a somewhat reserved attitude close to opposition. I want to say clearly that they should clarify their position on these points."

Regarding Lee Nak-yeon's pardon proposal, he viewed it as "a gesture of goodwill." Kim said, "I hope the two former presidents sincerely apologize to the people," adding, "If they do so and melt the frozen hearts of the people and build consensus on the pardon, President Moon Jae-in could make a decision."

He continued, "I think it is possible to raise the issue. Our society has been torn apart, becoming a society where hostile division and hatred prevail. But I see this as a gesture of goodwill that could be an opportunity to wash away such things."

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