Busan: A state project aiming to establish a new airport on Gadeokdo, an island in Busan, has encountered a significant hurdle. A consortium led by Hyundai Engineering and Construction, designated as the preferred bidder for this ambitious project, submitted its basic design plan to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Monday, calling for an extension of the construction period from the initially planned seven years to nine years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the consortium's proposal also includes a request to increase the budget for site construction by 1 trillion won, raising the total to 10.5 trillion won ($7.3 billion). The government's original tender notice required that a runway and terminal be operational by December 2029, with the entire project slated for completion within seven years. However, the consortium has indicated that these objectives are unattainable under the current conditions.
This predicament was not entirely unforeseen. In 2016, Gadeokdo was initially deemed the least suitable site for a new airport among three candidates during the Park Geun-hye administration. The project was later revived due to political motivations, particularly leading up to the 2021 Busan mayoral by-election, when political parties leveraged the airport project to court voters.
The Yoon Suk Yeol administration further complicated matters by advancing the airport's opening date to December 2029 from June 2035, ostensibly to strengthen Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo. This led to significant revisions in the airport's construction plan, including a controversial method involving land reclamation, previously dismissed due to concerns of uneven settlement.
Despite multiple failed bidding attempts last year, Hyundai E and C emerged as the sole preferred bidder. However, its demands for renegotiation of the timeline and budget could jeopardize its status. If Hyundai E and C's bid falters, finding a replacement may prove challenging, raising the possibility of prolonged delays or project uncertainty.
In light of these developments, government officials and legislators are urged to prioritize practical considerations over political ones. With Korea's unsuccessful World Expo bid, the urgency to expedite construction has diminished. Ensuring compliance with the special law mandating the airport's construction is imperative, alongside considerations of expert opinions and site conditions.
Reevaluation of the construction period and methods, as well as safety measures for air passengers, is crucial to avoid incidents akin to last year's fatal plane crash at Muan International Airport. The anticipated delay of Gadeokdo's airport underscores the pitfalls of allowing political agendas to dictate national infrastructure projects.