Gadeok New Airport Consolidation Underway by Ruling Party... Opposition Party Organizing Internally

Speed from Ye to Gadeok New Airport to Seobusan Medical Center
Opposition PK·TK struggling with traffic arrangements

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] The Democratic Party of Korea, which has taken the lead on the Gadeokdo New Airport issue, visited Busan on the 29th and began to solidify its position in earnest. In addition, party leader Lee Nak-yeon started to accelerate the construction of public medical facilities by exempting the preliminary feasibility study for the Western Busan Medical Center.

The Democratic Party leadership held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Busan that morning to discuss issues related to Gadeok New Airport. At the Supreme Council meeting, Lee said, "Even if the opposition party leadership opposes it, we will go our way," urging the opposition party, which has divided internal opinions, to make a swift decision. He raised his voice, saying, "The Democratic Party will no longer give false hope to the citizens of Busan," and "The Democratic Party will definitely pass the special law at the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly. I hope the main opposition party will quickly promise to join."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, he announced that the construction of the public medical institution, Western Busan Medical Center, would also be accelerated. He emphasized, "When I visited Busan last November, I promised the citizens the exemption of the preliminary feasibility study for the Western Busan Medical Center. And the exemption was confirmed the day before yesterday at the Cabinet meeting and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee," adding, "Once the medical center is built, it will greatly help improve responses to infectious diseases like COVID-19 and medical services for vulnerable groups." After the meeting, the leadership visited the construction site to inspect the location.

While the ruling party has started working to pass the special law related to Gadeok New Airport within the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly, the People Power Party, which holds strongholds in PK (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam) and TK (Daegu, Gyeongbuk), is in a state of confusion due to internal traffic arrangements. Gwak Sang-do, a member of the People Power Party and chairman of the Daegu City Party Committee, plans to propose a special law for the Miryang New Airport, whereas Lee Eon-ju, a former member of the People Power Party running for the Busan mayoral by-election, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 28th and declared a 'conditional resignation' from the candidacy if the Gadeok New Airport special law is not passed. The leadership is also struggling, as they cannot afford to lose either PK or TK.

Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, who has announced his candidacy for the April 7 Busan mayoral by-election, holds an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Accordingly, criticism toward the People Power Party continued at the Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting that day. Supreme Council member Kim Jong-min pointed out to Gwak, "You are turning the new airport issue into a regional conflict between TK and PK." Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja also said, "Even though this is a matter of national fate, the People Power Party leadership has not issued a proper stance," and criticized, "The main opposition party leadership should stop giving the impression that they are only watching a few support regions rather than the country."

Supreme Council member Park Hong-bae said, "The People Power Party leadership is wavering between the prospective candidates who attack the leadership by saying they will resign if the law is not passed and the TK lawmakers who are pushing for a counter airport in Miryang," adding, "Although they plan to announce their position next week, I doubt whether citizens will believe whatever they say now," urging a swift decision.

The People Power Party plans to visit Busan on the 1st of next month to hold an emergency committee meeting and announce the party's official stance on Gadeok New Airport.

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