▲ 가덕신공항 조감도

[브레이크뉴스=배종태 기자] 정부가 가덕신공항의 공사 기간을 기존 84개월에서 106개월로 늘리기로 하자 국민의힘 부산광역시당이 “시민 기대를 저버린 결정”이라며 강하게 반발했다.

국민의힘 부산시당은 성명을 내고 국토교통부가 최근 가덕신공항 기본계획상 공기(工期)를 22개월 추가 연장한 데 대해 “정부와 부산시가 전문가 검토·기술 검증·공청회 등을 거쳐 84개월 공기가 타당하다고 결론 낸 바 있는데 이를 뒤집은 것은 행정의 일관성을 무너뜨린 자기모순”이라고 비판했다.

시당은 가덕신공항 사업이 수년간 지역사회와 부산시가 조속한 입찰 및 조기 착공을 요구해 온 핵심 국가 프로젝트였음을 강조하며, 정부 결정으로 착공 지연과 ‘적기 개항’ 목표가 흔들릴 수 있다고 지적했다.

또한 “가덕신공항은 국가 균형발전과 남부권 국가성장축 구축에 필수적인 사업으로 더 이상 늦춰서는 안 된다”며 “정부는 남은 행정절차를 신속히 마무리하고 지연된 입찰을 즉시 추진해 가능한 한 빠른 시일 내 착공해야 한다”고 촉구했다.

부산시당은 아울러 가덕신공항이 향후 대한민국의 관문공항으로서 글로벌 물류 경쟁력을 강화하고 남부권 발전의 동력이 되도록 정부가 행정력을 집중할 것을 요구하며, “부산 시민의 오랜 염원인 가덕신공항 조속 건설을 더 이상 지체 없이 실현해야 한다”고 거듭 촉구했다.

[Below is an English news article] “People Power Party Busan ‘Extending the construction period of the Gadeok New Airport from 84 to 106 months is a decision that betrays the aspirations of the citizens.’”

[BUSAN]-The South Korean government has decided to extend the construction period for the new Gadeok Airport in Busan from 84 months to 106 months, drawing sharp criticism from the Busan chapter of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), which accused authorities of undermining public trust and delaying a long-promised project.

In a statement issued Friday, the PPP’s Busan office said the central government had overturned its own conclusion reached in 2023, when experts, technical reviewers and public hearings collectively determined that an 84-month construction schedule was feasible and formed the basis of the airport’s finalized master plan.

Despite those findings, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport opted to push back the timeline by nearly two years, a move the PPP said contradicts the ministry’s earlier assessments and “betrays the expectations of Busan citizens.”

Local officials and civic groups have long urged the government to expedite bidding and break ground as early as possible, arguing that the airport — designated as a national strategic project — is essential for regional economic growth and South Korea’s broader goal of strengthening its logistics capabilities.

The PPP warned that the delay may jeopardize the city’s target for an on-schedule opening, calling the decision “inconsistent governance” that further slows a project already hindered by administrative postponements.

The party urged the government to accelerate all remaining procedures and immediately resume the bidding process, stressing that the new airport must be built quickly to serve as a major gateway for international cargo and as the economic engine of the southern region.

The Busan PPP said the city’s demand for the swift construction of Gadeok Airport reflects “a long-held aspiration of its citizens” and called on the government to ensure no further delays.

The Busan PPP also urged the government to focus its administrative capacity so that Gadeok New Airport can strengthen global logistics competitiveness as Korea’s future gateway airport and become a driving force for development in the southern region. They reiterated, saying, ‘The long-cherished desire of the citizens of Busan — the swift construction of Gadeok New Airport — must be realized without further delay.’”