[Reporter’s Notebook] Lee Jaemyung’s Gimpo Airport Relocation Controversy Backfires

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea, which barely managed to settle internal conflicts, is once again facing turmoil over the grand pledges of Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for Gyeyang-eul, and Song Young-gil, the candidate for Seoul mayor. These candidates recently announced a pledge to integrate Gimpo Airport with Incheon Airport and develop the western metropolitan area including Incheon Gyeyang, Gyeonggi Gimpo, and Seoul Gangseo. However, a candidate from the same party running in Jeju Island opposed this, and the party drew a line by stating that it was a candidate-level pledge. With just two days left before the local elections, the party seems to be caught in another adverse situation.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang by-election, announced the "Subway Line 9 Gyeyang Extension Pledge" on the 29th near the Gimpo Urban Railway Depot in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

For candidates Song, a former member of the National Assembly, and Lee, supporting the relocation of Gimpo Airport was clearly understood to be beneficial for votes. However, if it had truly been important, it should have been presented as a pledge from the start of their campaigns. Bringing up airport relocation suddenly at the final stage of the election campaign only showed that it was an 'improvised pledge' made with no long-term plan, merely to appeal to voters.

The fact that the airport relocation is an election pledge is also confirmed by reactions within the same party. Oh Young-hoon, the Jeju governor candidate, argued, "The relocation of Gimpo Airport can only be possible if included in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's comprehensive airport development plan, and Incheon International Airport is absolutely lacking in airspace and slots for aircraft takeoff and landing." Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party emergency committee chairman, also denied it by saying, "This is not a central party pledge." This indicates that despite the importance of the content, there was no internal coordination of opinions.

Despite opposition inside and outside the party, Chairman Yoon continued his claim, saying, "Gimpo Airport and Incheon Airport are about 10 minutes apart by high-speed rail (33.5 km)." This implies dissatisfaction that the issue is being politicized when it would be sufficient to just go to Incheon Airport instead of Gimpo Airport.

Jeju Island was considered the last stronghold where the Democratic Party could win the metropolitan government elections along with Honam in this election. However, a reckless pledge has provided an opportunity for the ruling party, their competitor, to launch an offensive.

In the Gyeyang-eul election, where a landslide victory was expected, candidate Lee is now hampered. This Gimpo Airport relocation pledge has become a self-inflicted blow, damaging not only himself but also other regions including Jeju Island.

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