Eonju Lee: "Expand Economic Territory with Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel... Approach with Economic Logic, Not Political Conflict"

Press Conference Held at the National Assembly on the 4th... "Economic Effects Expected to Reach Daejeon"

Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, a candidate in the People Power Party's Busan mayoral by-election primary, holds a press conference expressing support for the 'Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel Construction' at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, a preliminary candidate from the People Power Party for the Busan mayoral by-election, emphasized the importance of the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel. He argued that the ruling party should approach the issue with 'economic logic' rather than political logic.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the 4th, Lee stated, "The Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel signifies the expansion of South Korea's economic territory by connecting the isolated Korean Peninsula to the Japanese archipelago."

He specifically cited numerical data on the economic effects of the Gadeokdo New Airport and the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel. Lee explained, "According to the impact assessment of the Gadeokdo New Airport construction, the development cost is 10 trillion won, the production inducement effect is 88.9 trillion won, and 536,000 jobs will be created. Funding can be secured through various methods such as national funds, local government funds, private investment, and foreign capital attraction." He added, "The assessment for the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel shows a development cost of 100 trillion won, with South Korea's share being around 10 to 20 trillion won. The production inducement effect is 54.5 trillion won, and 450,000 jobs will be created. Funding is expected to be 100% from private investment."

Lee emphasized, "Young people from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Boo-Ul-Gyeong) region and the southern area will become world-class logistics experts, traveling globally. We must provide young people with future dreams and jobs through the highest quality jobs in the world."

He predicted that the economic effects of the Gadeokdo New Airport and the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel would extend to areas such as Daejeon, inland Gyeongbuk, and Jeonnam. Lee said, "I believe the economic effects will reach as far as Daejeon. At minimum, it will extend to inland Gyeongbuk, including Mungyeong, and sufficiently impact Jeonnam as well. I am confident it will be a breakthrough to solve job issues in Jeonnam and inland Gyeongbuk."

Lee called on the ruling party to drop the 'pro-Japanese frame.' He pointed out, "The economy is not a zero-sum game but a win-win game seeking synergy. Both Japan and South Korea benefit from this. What could be more foolish than refusing to trade because you dislike that the other party also benefits while you gain?"

He continued, "The Democratic Party must clearly answer whether it will abandon jobs and economic effects due to being stuck in past history. The pledges for the Gadeokdo New Airport construction and the Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel should not become tools for partisan conflict. I propose that we share good ideas and jointly build better, progressive, and creative plans hand in hand."

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