[민심탐방-가덕신공항]㊦Local residents will lose their place of life

The projected site for the construction of Gadeok New Airport as viewed from the Gadeok-do Observatory in Gangseo-gu, Busan. 2021.1.21/News1 © News1 Reporter Yeo Ju-yeon

“The problem is that when a new airport enters, our residents may be expelled. It is only difficult.”

Gadeok New Airport is gaining strength. This was when the Gimhae New Airport Verification Committee under the Prime Minister’s Office announced in November last year that a fundamental review is needed for the Gimhae New Airport expansion plan.

As the clock for the Busan Mayor’s by-election has accelerated, political circles are also promising to promote Gadeok New Airport every day regardless of the opposition party.

However, the reaction of local residents in Gadeok Island, where the new airport will be built, is not very pleasant. This is because most of the residents are at risk of being expelled to other areas.

◇The residents of Gadeok Island, who have lived their lives for 70~80 years… “No political communication”

The population of 3,646 people live on Gadeokdo Island, which covers an area of ​​25 km2. (As of November 30, 2020) 90% of the 3646 people make a living through agriculture and fishing.

Some residents have lived on Gadeokdo Island for their third generation or have settled here for 70 to 80 years. They are in the position that it is difficult to go outside even if they receive sufficient compensation fees.

“Most residents are opposed to Gadeok New Airport,” said Eun-geun Jeong, chairman of Gadeok-do’s Residents’ Autonomy. “If a runway is laid in our home and logistics is loaded, more than 80% of Gaduk residents will have to move.

A few months ago, at the time the Prime Minister’s Verification Committee announced the’Gimhae New Airport Review’, local public opinion was half for and half against, but now it is explained that more weight has been leaned toward the opposite side.

Chairman Chung also made a sharp voice toward the politics and local governments. It is pointed out that although the politics are sloging’Booulkyung’s aspirations’ and’the future that will save the local economy’, communication with residents is lacking.

He said, “The agenda related to the livelihood of residents is also missing in the February Gadeok New Airport Special Act.”

Resident A said, “If it is for the development of Busan, residents may agree, but as they are starting to face more and more realistic problems, opposition voices are coming out little by little.”

Mr. A said, “Even if you receive compensation, there are many people who rent, so there will not be enough compensation,” he said. “When designing the basic plan for Gaduk New Airport, there will be a way to avoid relocation.”

A panoramic view of the new airport site on Gadeokdo, Gangseo-gu, Busan. 2020.6.19/News1 © News1 Reporter Yeo Ju-yeon

◇”Over 90% opposition to Cheonseong-dong and Daehang-dong installed on the runway”

According to residents, Gadeokdo is made up of five Beopjeong-dongs, including Cheonseong, Daehang, Nulcha, Dongseon, and Seongbuk. It is known that more than 90% of the residents living in Cheonseong and Daehang, an area where runway installation is strong, are opposed to the construction of the new airport.

People in the Daehang and Cheonseong areas where the runway enters may have to pack up and leave as soon as the new airport construction plan becomes visible.

Resident B said, “It is questionable whether the senior citizens who have lived with nature for a lifetime will be able to live in other cities.”

Park Hye-ja, a member of the Gangseo-gu council, who has Gadeokdo as a regional district, explained, “Because there are many residents who do not have the right to immigrate, there are not a few people who are unsure about how to live in the future.”

Currently, there is no discussion about their right to immigrate at the Gangseo-gu Council level.

In response to the lukewarm attitude of the local government, the residents of Gadeokdo Island are making a move to request the local government for compensation rights and livelihood rights for the construction of the new airport.

In fact, on the 5th, some residents launched the’Gadeokdo New Airport Countermeasures Committee’. The countermeasure committee is composed of 36 people, including the village account manager, the fishing village chief, and the regional chairperson.

Residents of Gadeokdo Island are holding an inauguration ceremony for the’Gadeokdo New Airport Countermeasures Committee’ on the 5th.

◇Citizens’ Organization “Residents should guarantee their right to live and move”

Local civic groups have voiced their voice that as the construction of the new airport is being promoted as a national project, local governments should first guarantee the right to alternative living.

“The new airport should be promoted in the direction of minimizing the inconvenience of the residents of Gadeok Island,” said Do Han-young, secretary general of Busan Kyungshilyeon.

“There is no visible plan for Gadeok New Airport yet, so it seems that there is no countermeasure for immigration rights for residents,” said Doo. “It is a situation that requires review by local governments and central government.”

Park In-ho, co-representative of the Booul Gyeongbeom Citizen’s Movement Headquarters for the Southeast Area Gateway Airport, said, “Because there are many fishermen living on the new airport site, the compensation for fishing rights should be properly paid.

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