The ruling party leadership, including People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun and floor leader Yoon Jae-ok, held a meeting on pending issues with lawmakers from the Busan region at the National Assembly on the morning of the 30th. At the meeting on this day, a report on local public sentiment regarding the failure to host the 2030 World Expo (Expo) was reported and a response direction discussed. Representative Kim and the ruling party members of the Busan region emphasized that they will proceed without a hitch with the three major national tasks being implemented in Busan: the Gadeokdo New Airport construction project, North Port redevelopment, and Korea Development Bank headquarters relocation.
At the meeting that day, Representative Kim said, “It is true that as the expectations (for hosting the Expo) were high, the disappointment was also great,” and “I sincerely apologize to the people on behalf of the party.” He said, “What we need to do now is to comfort the citizens of Busan who are feeling discouraged and responsibly pursue the tasks that will lead to the development of Busan,” adding, “Our party will proceed without a hitch with the three major tasks of Busan government.”
CEO Kim emphasized that he will lead the Gadeokdo New Airport and North Port redevelopment projects that are currently being promoted without a hitch. CEO Kim emphasized, “We will push ahead with the goal of opening Gadeokdo New Airport in December 2029, as scheduled,” and added, “I will take responsibility and lead so that (Gadeokdo New Airport) can be completed as a multi-function airport that transports large-scale passengers and logistics.” . At the same time, he said, “We will also seek measures to relocate residents for airport construction with the relevant authorities and carefully look into ensuring that excellent local companies can participate in the construction project in large numbers.”
He continued, “I think the residents of the North Port area, which was the venue for the Expo, will be very disappointed,” and “I expect there will be concerns about whether the North Port redevelopment project that is currently in progress will be delayed.” He said, “We will ensure that the first phase of the project is completed without a hitch, the second phase of the project begins early, and the third phase of the project is carried out smoothly.”
Lastly, Representative Kim mentioned the relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan, a national task of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and emphasized, “We will definitely achieve it.” Representative Kim said, “It was in January of last year that our party submitted the Korea Development Bank Act to change the headquarters of Korea Development Bank to Busan Metropolitan City to the National Assembly, but it is frustrating that it has been pending in the National Assembly for about two years.” He added, “It must be passed within the year.” “I will work hard to persuade the Democratic Party of Korea to make this happen,” he said. At the same time, he urged the Democratic Party to “cooperate with action in the move of the Korea Development Bank to Busan, just as it stated its position that ‘we will prepare for a new future for Busan.’”
At the same time, he said, “In addition, we will actively pursue various pending issues in Busan, such as strengthening public medical infrastructure services and designating special zones to improve regional competitiveness, together with local lawmakers in Busan.” “I hope this will be an opportunity to look at the current issues facing Busan and discuss them in depth,” he added.
Earlier, at the party’s supreme committee meeting this morning, Representative Kim said, “I apologize to the citizens of Busan, whose disappointment will be even greater.” “I offer my deepest condolences,” he said, adding, “The People Power Party will take care of the project for Busan’s development without disruption.” At the same time, “The new airport, which is scheduled to open in December 2029, will be an airport with passenger logistics, and we will proceed with the basic plan without a hitch and responsibly lead stages 1 to 3 of the North Port redevelopment. “We will do our best to pass the Korea Development Bank Act in the National Assembly for the relocation of the Korea Development Bank’s head office,” he said.
Source: Donga
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