Sim Sang-jung: "The 'Vote-Buying Airport' Ahead of the Election Must Be Immediately Stopped"

Inadmissible on All Five Grounds: Legality, Safety, Environmental Impact, Economic Feasibility, and Practicality
A Product of Grand Coalition Politics by the Two Major Parties... Reminiscent of the Four Major Rivers Project
"Special Laws Should Not Be Exchanged Politically for Convenience Ahead of By-Elections"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Sim Sang-jung, a member of the Justice Party, stated that the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act is nothing more than a "by-election airport" and a "vote-buying airport" ahead of the by-election, and called for the immediate suspension of the enactment of the special law pushed forward by the collusion of the two major parties.

Sim Sang-jung, former leader of the Justice Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Sim, the chairperson of the Just Green Transition Special Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 19th and pointed out five reasons why the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act should be abolished.

Sim said, "The special law for Gadeokdo, which had failed in the site selection process for the Southeast region new airport, is a product of the collusive politics of the two major parties," adding, "It inevitably reminds us of the 'Four Major Rivers Project,' which has been controversial due to the collusion between politicians and construction capital," criticizing the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act in terms of legality, safety, environmental impact, economic feasibility, and practicability.

Sim said, "The Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act contains provisions confirming Gadeokdo as the airport site, but it reverses the procedure of 'enacting a special law after site selection,'" adding, "It violates the legal procedures and the principle of equality stipulated in the law." He further pointed out, "It is a very serious procedural problem that a special law confirming Gadeokdo as the new airport site is suddenly created when the Gimhae New Airport plan has already been finalized with a budget of 7.6 billion won."

He also raised objections regarding safety. He explained that the short distance between Gadeokdo New Airport and Jinhae Airfield causes overlapping airspace, making simultaneous operation impossible, and that proximity to Gimhae and Sacheon airports increases the risk of aviation accidents. He also warned of possible collisions with large ships traveling to and from Busan New Port.

Environmentally, he expressed concerns that the large-scale supply of earth and stone required for the Gadeokdo New Airport and greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation could have adverse effects.

Sim also pointed out economic issues. Contrary to the initial estimate of 7.5 trillion won for constructing Gadeokdo New Airport, an additional 5.2 trillion won is expected to be needed, making the total project scale about 12.8 trillion won, while air travel demand is becoming increasingly uncertain after COVID-19.

Sim criticized, "The Gadeokdo New Airport has been raised every election season for 15 years," adding, "It is nothing more than an empty promise with no feasibility as an election airport."

He continued, "The site evaluation for Gadeokdo New Airport received the lowest ratings in terms of business feasibility, environmental impact, and practicability," and said, "Despite knowing that it is practically impossible to realize, the two major parties' reckless promises ahead of the by-election only cause confusion."

He also strongly condemned the attempt by the two major parties to enact the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act through collusion, ignoring the 15 years of procedures and legal systems for selecting the Southeast region new airport, emphasizing again, "The special airport law should not be pushed back and forth for political necessity ahead of the by-election."

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