Why a Picket Protest at an Audit Session? ... Busan City Council's Construction and Transportation Committee Urges: "The Integrated LCC's Headquarters Belongs in Busan!"

All lawmakers, including Chair Jo Sangjin, hold placards at the questioning seats

Review Gadeokdo New Airport costs, fisheries compensation, and other issues

A rare scene unfolded as the Busan Metropolitan Council's administrative audit venue turned into a site for a placard protest.

On November 12, a placard calling for the headquarters of the integrated low-cost carrier (LCC) to be located in Busan was displayed at the audit. Members of the Construction and Transportation Committee placed the placard at their seats for questioning and called on the city of Busan to develop an active strategy to attract the headquarters.

At an administrative audit of the New Airport Promotion Bureau on November 12, the Busan Metropolitan Council's Construction and Transportation Committee (Chair Cho Sangjin) joined forces to call for the integrated LCC's headquarters to be located in Busan. The placard read, "Headquarters of the integrated LCC in Busan!"

Committee Chair Cho Sangjin used some of his questioning time to emphasize the need to attract the headquarters. The aim is for the city of Busan to devise a concrete strategy to secure substantive headquarters functions, such as board meetings and route planning, rather than merely having the company's registered address in the city.

A placard calling for the headquarters of the integrated low-cost carrier to be located in Busan hangs at the Busan Metropolitan Council's Construction and Transportation Committee audit on the 12th. It reads, "Headquarters of the integrated low-cost carrier in Busan!"

Assemblyman Lee Sangwook also focused on the issue of attracting the integrated LCC during the morning audit. He said that the role of Air Busan, which grew with Busan as its home base, and the region's aviation industry foundation must not be weakened in the integration of Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul. He called on the city of Busan to actively consult with the government and Korean Air, noting that the location of the headquarters could affect local jobs, the competitiveness of the aviation industry and the operation of Gadeokdo New Airport.

The audit also addressed issues related to the construction of Gadeokdo New Airport. Assemblyman Kim Dongha pointed to the possibility of delays as construction costs are adjusted to realistic levels and the special act is amended, and called on the government to present solutions and a concrete project schedule.

Assemblyman Chae Changseop emphasized the need to ensure that fisheries compensation procedures related to the new airport's construction are managed fairly and that harm to fishers and residents is minimized. Assemblyman Kang Seungju called for construction methods to be verified through testing before work begins and for delays in permits and approvals to be prevented. Building access transport links in time for the new airport's opening was also identified as a task.

Assemblywoman Gyeon Miryeong highlighted the inconvenience residents face because of aircraft noise from Gimhae Airport and called for securing medium- and long-haul routes to improve Busan's air connectivity. Vice Chair Choi Eunyoung called for expanding airport convenience facilities, including the City Airport Terminal and Easy Drop. Vice Chair Seo Gyeongtae reviewed the performance and effectiveness of the Southeast Region Gateway Airport Promotion Committee and said that public-private cooperation and external communications should be strengthened.

The Construction and Transportation Committee considers attracting the integrated LCC's headquarters and building Gadeokdo New Airport key challenges that will shape the future of Busan's aviation industry, and plans to continue monitoring the city's follow-up measures. However, no decision has yet been made on the location of the headquarters, and the city of Busan is continuing discussions with the government and Korean Air, among others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.