The controversy over whether 'Gadeokdo' is a suitable location for a new airport began 20 years ago. Despite President Lee Jae-myung's promise, the atmosphere is one of pushing the project forward, but concerns from the aviation and construction industries about 'safety and economic viability' remain high. Attention is drawn to the inherent limitations of Gadeokdo New Airport, as well as the background behind Hyundai E&C, the consortium's lead company, declaring its withdrawal. ChosunBiz aims to engage in in-depth discussions regarding technical safety issues, such as method and differential settlement, ahead of the re-bidding for the 'Gadeokdo New Airport site development project'.
Is there a conviction that the Gadeokdo New Airport will enhance Busan's competitiveness? It could rather diminish competitiveness. Alternative options such as the expansion of Gimhae Airport must be seriously considered." (Professor in the Department of Aviation Traffic at University A)
As the Lee Jae-myung administration shows a strong will to pursue the construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, a cautious opinion has emerged that we need to consider the period after its opening. There is a clear reason why Hyundai E&C, which has successfully carried out large-scale civil engineering works several times, announced its withdrawal. Some suggest that a highly conservative perspective is necessary, considering the possible occurrence of a catastrophic aviation accident. The Gadeokdo New Airport site development project includes the construction of an international airport that can operate 24 hours at a cost of about 13 trillion won in the vicinity of Gadeokdo, Busan. The opening was initially aimed for the end of 2029.
According to the construction industry on the 30th, Hyundai E&C's declaration of non-participation on May 30 was understood to be due to its inability to assure safety and economic viability. After investing 60 billion won at the basic design stage and mobilizing more than 250 experts for an in-depth technical review, it was concluded that 'it is better not to participate in the Gadeokdo New Airport site development project.'
Hyundai E&C is known to have contemplated participation in the project until the very end. The 60 billion won invested in the basic design stage has now become a sunk cost. After officially declaring non-participation, during a meeting to explain the background to participating construction companies in the consortium, it was reported that they stated, 'Officially, our position as announced to the media is accurate. (With the basic design plan already made, non-participation is) essentially like 'scooping up the paste.'
Hyundai E&C conducted a massive six-month investigation and has secured critical statistics regarding accident risks following the completion of the Gadeokdo New Airport. It received confidentiality agreements from the experts involved in the investigation related to the Gadeokdo New Airport site work, including the basic design. A professor from a university who participated in creating Hyundai E&C's basic design plan stated in response to ChosunBiz's interview request, 'I cannot disclose any related content due to confidentiality agreements.'
A representative from the consortium stated, 'There was a detailed analysis regarding the risks of construction methods and differential settlement by the internal team at Hyundai E&C,' and added, 'Since they were the lead company, they thoroughly investigated safety, economic viability, and the like.' A representative from Hyundai E&C stated, 'Since we have withdrawn from the consortium, we cannot comment on airport safety issues.'
There is growing sentiment within the aviation and construction industries that there must be 'valid reasons' behind Hyundai E&C's withdrawal. The most significant risk factor is 'differential settlement.' The runway of the Gadeokdo New Airport is being constructed over reclaimed land from both the land and sea, and as the reclaimed land settles, it may cause uneven subsidence. Kansai Airport, considered a reference for marine reclaimed airports, settled 9.8 meters during construction and sank 2.6 meters immediately after opening. Kansai Airport was also closed due to maintenance issues after being flooded by a typhoon in September 2018.
A civil engineering official from a major construction company said, 'We will conduct maintenance work to prevent differential settlement, but we cannot rule out the possibility of an aviation accident, as it is uncertain when and how it will occur. Aviation accidents, like the Muan Airport incident, can have severe casualties, so the location must minimize risks, which Gadeokdo does not.'
There are still many opinions pointing out the inherent limitations of Gadeokdo. In the sea area where the runway is to be laid, extremely soft soil and clay layers of up to 60 meters are distributed. 59% of the new airport must be built on reclaimed land. Incheon International Airport was also built on reclaimed land, but there is a significant difference in maritime environment. Gadeokdo, located in the southern sea, cannot withstand typhoons and strong winds coming from the south, and the analysis indicates that the runway is oriented east-west, heightening the risk of accidents.
A senior official in the construction industry who requested anonymity said, 'The Yellow Sea where Incheon International Airport is located and the southern sea are distinctly different,' and added, 'With the runway oriented east-west, the risk of accidents increases when strong winds hit the side of the aircraft.'
Professor Kim Jin-yu from Kyonggi University stated, 'The Gadeokdo New Airport has even been exempted from a preliminary feasibility study, which could become a critical issue later.' He added, 'An excessive airport investment could lead to increased social expenses for future maintenance. There must be a reason why Hyundai E&C is not participating in the project.'
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has initiated procedures to sanction Hyundai E&C. They intend to hold legal responsibility for unilaterally canceling the contract for the Gadeokdo New Airport site development project. A Ministry official stated, 'We are currently seeking legal advice from a private law firm and plan to request an interpretation of violations of the National Contract Act from the Ministry of Economy and Finance if necessary.' The Public Procurement Service is also legally reviewing measures regarding 'contractual non-performance.' If Hyundai E&C is held legally responsible, it may be prohibited from participating in public project bids issued by the state and local governments for a certain period.