Justice Party praises gov't decision to expand Gimhae Airport

Justice Party praises gov't decision to expand Gimhae Airport. June. 23, 2016 07:24. by 차길호기자 kilo@donga.com. The Justice Party, which has been opposing the government and the ruling party on many fronts, in an unusual move has expressed its support of the government’s plan to expand Gimhae International Airport. “It was a rarely refreshing decision that has been made without being swayed by political logic,” Noh Hoi-chan, floor leader of the minor party, said in a phone interview with The Dong-A Ilbo on Wednesday. “I wish to speak highly of the decision in that the government fair-mindedly focused on economic consideration.”

Soon after the government’s announcement on selection of a new airport for the Gyeongsang region on Tuesday, the Justice Party welcomed the decision, saying, “The decision has been made irrespective of political interests.” Its chairwoman Shim Sang-jeong also said, “It was the most responsible decision ever made under the Park Geun-hye administration, which is commendable.”

Party spokesman Han Chang-min said, “The government’s decision-making process is not fully trustworthy, but the decision is ultimately in line with the Justice Party’s original argument.” At the party’s standing committee on Monday, Shim said, “The government must proactively consider a measure to expand Gimhae Airport.” During her presidential campaign in 2012, Shim said that building a new airport is just a populist promise, which should not proceed such a way.

The Justice Party’s recent move is interpreted as its intention to differentiate itself from two large opposition parties but pursue a party of openness. The party has been gathering diverse opinions from various lecturers, such as Hyundai Motor President Chung Jin-haeng and Korea Institute for Shared Growth Chairman Chung Un-chan.