Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading presidential contender from the center-left Democratic Party of Korea, on Friday rolled out a series of campaign pledges aimed at boosting development in the Yeongnam region, a traditional conservative stronghold in southeastern South Korea.
Lee said he would relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from Sejong in South Chungcheong Province to Busan, a major port city in the region, to "elevate Korea into a leading maritime country and implement field-oriented policies."
Lee also promised swiftly to address the factors delaying the relocation of Daegu’s current airport and Air Force base to a newly integrated airport in North Gyeongsang Province. The project seeks not only to resolve noise and environmental issues caused by the airport’s urban location but also to revitalize the outskirts of Daegu, including spurring job creation.
Lee further promised to support the project underway to construct an airport on Ulleungdo, an island that is part of North Gyeongsang Province, and approximately a three-hour ferry ride from the city of Gangneung.
The pledges Lee unveiled are aimed at Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province, and the Daegu–North Gyeongsang area — areas that combined account for major political and industrial bases in South Korea.
dagyumji@heraldcorp.com
