ID :
159313
Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/159313
The shortlink copeid
Political considerations should be ruled out in selecting airport venue
SEOUL (Yonhap) - With about two months remaining before the central government is set to choose the home of a new international airport in the southeastern region of the country, behind-the-scenes competition among prospective cities has grown even fiercer.
Busan, South Korea's largest port city, has been in contention with Miryang, a small town in South Gyeongsang Province, for a bid to house an 8 trillion won project to construct a new international gateway to the area, an industrial stronghold of the nation.
Busan wants to build the new airport on its Gadeok Island, while the rest of the region -- including the cities of Ulsan and Daegu, plus the Gyeongsang provinces -- suports Miryang. The two sides have stepped up publicity offensives and now cry for "unconditional" wins for their respective bids, deepening the chasm of conflict. Politicians from the two sides have joined in the fray to make the problem even more difficult to solve.
According to experts, the central government is partly responsible for complicating the conundrum by delaying the decision repeatedly. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs was due to announce the venue in September 2008 but the decision was delayed until December that year and again to March this year.
The southeastern region -- called "Dongnam" -- is currently home to four airports: Gimhae, Daegu, Pohang and Ulsan. But this corner of the country lacks a sizable international airport. The Gimhae International Airport serves the Busan area, but its remote location has been cited as a major problem for travelers.
The airport project is a priority for five local governments in the region, which is home to around 13 million people. The project is said to create 200,000 jobs and produce production inducement effect worth 17 trillion won. Thus, the mayors and governors of the region have been making desperate efforts to win the bid for their sides -- as well as intervene in the other's chances -- as the failure to do so would mean a major political failure. Politicians with their background in the region also joined the competition.
However, a reasonable settlement of the problem would be very difficult unless political intervention is ruled out. Politicians should bear in mind the fact that many regional airports built under the pressure of politicians have turned out to be failures. The international airport in Yangyang, Gangwon Province is suffering from a lack of passengers, while the airport in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province was unable to begin operations.
To prevent repeating past failures, the government should make an early decision in a calmer and more objective manner, and politicians should stay away from the selection process.
Busan, South Korea's largest port city, has been in contention with Miryang, a small town in South Gyeongsang Province, for a bid to house an 8 trillion won project to construct a new international gateway to the area, an industrial stronghold of the nation.
Busan wants to build the new airport on its Gadeok Island, while the rest of the region -- including the cities of Ulsan and Daegu, plus the Gyeongsang provinces -- suports Miryang. The two sides have stepped up publicity offensives and now cry for "unconditional" wins for their respective bids, deepening the chasm of conflict. Politicians from the two sides have joined in the fray to make the problem even more difficult to solve.
According to experts, the central government is partly responsible for complicating the conundrum by delaying the decision repeatedly. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs was due to announce the venue in September 2008 but the decision was delayed until December that year and again to March this year.
The southeastern region -- called "Dongnam" -- is currently home to four airports: Gimhae, Daegu, Pohang and Ulsan. But this corner of the country lacks a sizable international airport. The Gimhae International Airport serves the Busan area, but its remote location has been cited as a major problem for travelers.
The airport project is a priority for five local governments in the region, which is home to around 13 million people. The project is said to create 200,000 jobs and produce production inducement effect worth 17 trillion won. Thus, the mayors and governors of the region have been making desperate efforts to win the bid for their sides -- as well as intervene in the other's chances -- as the failure to do so would mean a major political failure. Politicians with their background in the region also joined the competition.
However, a reasonable settlement of the problem would be very difficult unless political intervention is ruled out. Politicians should bear in mind the fact that many regional airports built under the pressure of politicians have turned out to be failures. The international airport in Yangyang, Gangwon Province is suffering from a lack of passengers, while the airport in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province was unable to begin operations.
To prevent repeating past failures, the government should make an early decision in a calmer and more objective manner, and politicians should stay away from the selection process.
