"Stop Grounding Bukhang!" Busan Chamber of Commerce Urges Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Halt Bukhang Redevelopment Project Changes in Statement

A part of the statement released by the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 14th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to stop its reckless attempt to change the Bukhang redevelopment project.

On the 14th, the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a statement urging the immediate cessation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' recent proposal to change the first phase of the Bukhang project, warning that it could jeopardize two national projects closely tied to the region's future: the Bukhang redevelopment and the bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

In the statement, they strongly opposed the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, saying, "When the Ministry halted the first phase of the Bukhang project due to a questionable internal audit, local communities protested. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries personally promised through the media that, as this is a presidential pledge project, it would be completed within the presidential term, but reversing this promise undermines administrative trust."

They also pointed out that the Ministry's proposed changes contradict the purpose of the redevelopment project, which aims to provide various waterfront spaces to citizens suffering from a deteriorated environment, restore the function of the original downtown, and thereby revitalize the local economy.

Regarding the limitation of the tram project’s recognized scope to track costs excluding vehicles, they emphasized that the National Land Planning Act defines infrastructure to include the entire railway system, so vehicle purchase costs should naturally be included.

The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry claimed, "Among the public content construction projects, the problematic ones this time?the Complex Cultural Space at Pier 1 and the Marine Sports Complex?are representative cultural tourism content projects being promoted within park sites for the convenience of citizens and tourists."

They raised their voices, saying, "Nevertheless, it is utterly unacceptable that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to change the land use of these project sites to port facility land and forcibly include them as port waterfront facilities to be promoted as private projects."

The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out that the Ministry's attempt to change the project risks missing the golden time for the Bukhang redevelopment.

They also see a growing concern that it could adversely affect the bid to host the 2030 World Expo, which is planned to be held at Bukhang.

The Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry strongly urged the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to "immediately discard the 10th amendment proposal, complete the first phase of infrastructure construction including the tram and public content construction projects within the presidential term as promised, and pursue changes to the current implementation agreement so that the benefits of the Bukhang redevelopment project are maximally returned to the citizens of Busan."

Chairman Jang In-hwa of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned, "It is unacceptable for the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to officially reverse a presidential pledge project within just a few months," adding, "The longer time is wasted, the stronger the local public resistance will become."

A representative of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated, "Starting with this statement, we plan to deliver opinions from the local economic community to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and work with civic groups to ensure that this situation is quickly normalized."

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