與 "Gadeok New Airport Belittlement?" Opposition "Do They Make Laws Every Time a National Project Happens?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The ruling and opposition parties are clashing over the Gadeok New Airport. The Democratic Party of Korea accused the People Power Party of belittling the value of Gadeok New Airport and opposing the special law, while the People Power Party retorted, "Do we have to make a law every time there is a national project?" The situation is such that the government and ruling party are trying to present it as an achievement in the April Busan mayoral by-election, while the opposition urges not to exaggerate its significance.

On the 22nd, the Democratic Party focused on criticizing Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, for his statement the previous day that "Busan's economy will not drastically change just because of one Gadeokdo (New Airport)" and demanded an apology.

At the highest committee meeting that day, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "I believe that things can change with just one airport," adding, "The dreams of the materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) industry, tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions), and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) mega-city plan can only be realized with a proper international airport."

He continued, "We will ensure that the Gadeok New Airport, initiated by President Roh Moo-hyun, is completed under the Moon Jae-in administration. We will definitely pass the special law in the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly. We hope the opposition party will also participate."

Choi In-ho, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, also said in a briefing on current issues, "While we have evaluated Chairman Kim Jong-in's insight into the economy so far, his perception of the Gadeok New Airport is surprisingly mistaken," adding, "According to Busan City's estimates, the economic ripple effect of constructing the Gadeok New Airport amounts to 126 trillion won."

In response, Chairman Kim met with reporters that day and said, "It is not a statement belittling the Gadeok New Airport, but when talking about the entire Busan economy, I do not believe that one new airport will greatly revive Busan's economy. I was referring to establishing a comprehensive outlook on Busan's economy, with the Gadeokdo Airport being just one part of it." His remarks were not much different from the previous day.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, also said, "There is no discussion on policies responding to the Gadeokdo New Airport; rather, we are considering whether it is possible to create individual laws and the precedent of proceeding with projects without preliminary feasibility studies," adding, "If this continues, will we have to make laws every time there is a national project?"

Following a public opinion poll released the previous day showing that the Democratic Party's support rate in the Busan region is higher than that of the People Power Party, the competition for the Busan mayoral by-election is expected to become even more intense.

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