SUWON — Gyeonggi Province pushed back on the 21st against concerns that it is pursuing construction of Gyeonggi International Airport despite fiscal strain, saying the entire cost would be covered by the central government and that the project has no bearing on the province's budget crisis.
Hong Eun-kwang, spokesperson for Gyeonggi Province, made the remarks in a written briefing that afternoon, saying airport-related affairs are national government responsibilities.
The province has pursued the airport since the eighth popularly elected local government under former Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, citing the development of a semiconductor mega-cluster in southern Gyeonggi and expanding demand for high-value air cargo in sectors such as semiconductors and biotechnology. The project appeared to be headed for abandonment after Kim failed to win reelection.
But Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae signaled her intention to revive it, telling a National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit of the province on the 19th that she had decided to resume the research study on securing the airport.
That prompted criticism in some quarters that Choo, who has cited a fiscal crisis, had decided to restart an airport project costing trillions of won.
Hong said the province had decided to build a civilian international airport using purely national funds, without provincial spending, and that the related study is under way.
He said the province sees a need for an international airport capable of serving as an advanced logistics hub.
Hong noted that Incheon International Airport has passenger handling capacity of 106 million, while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Sixth Comprehensive Airport Development Plan projects passenger demand at the airport will reach 113 million by 2035.
On that basis, he stressed the need to disperse air traffic demand.
According to Hong, Gyeonggi residents take an average of one hour and 22 minutes to reach the nearest international airport, compared with 40 minutes for Seoul residents and 38 minutes for those in Incheon.
Hong added that airport construction is a long-term project that could shape the future of both Gyeonggi Province and South Korea, and that preparations must be made in advance.