The Gangdongdo New Airport Construction Authority has suggested a construction period of 111 months for land preparation. This is longer than the 108-month period previously proposed by Hyundai E&C, and appears to be a measure that prioritizes 'safety' as the top priority. However, the city of Busan is still insisting on 84 months, which indicates that the new bidding schedule may be slightly delayed.
According to reports from ChosunBiz on the 5th, the Gangdongdo New Airport Construction Authority mentioned 111 months as the appropriate period for land preparation during a discussion held the previous day at its headquarters in Busan. This is a result of internal review and is not the final confirmed period. Nevertheless, the Authority emphasized that safety was prioritized in this decision.
Park Yong-nam, head of the Authority's Project Management Division, noted that "111 months is the result of a review prioritizing safety," adding, "It takes into account the sequence of the Gangdongdo New Airport construction, blasting the mountains located in Gangdongdo, then filling in the area and preparing for enhanced storage."
However, it has been confirmed that the city of Busan is still claiming the existing period of 84 months. The city emphasizes that the 84-month timeline suggested by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the basic plan is appropriate, putting forward a 'promise to the citizens of Busan.' As a result, tensions rose during the discussion, with attendees reportedly raising their voices. This discussion, instructed by Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kang Hee-eop, was held behind closed doors.
Kwon Sung-ki, head of Busan's Airport Planning Division and New Airport Development Team, stated, "The key issue is the treatment of soft ground, which depends on which standard is applied," noting, "Since the construction of the Gangdongdo New Airport is a 'promise to the public,' there is no problem with maintaining the 84-month period in the existing Ministry of Land's basic plan, and we should proceed as quickly as possible."
Given the confirmed differences in positions between the Authority and Busan city, there are plans to hold additional discussions. While an exact date has yet to be determined, they have stated they will strive to coordinate as best as possible. Ultimately, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which is in the process of establishing normalization plans for the construction of the Gangdongdo New Airport, will make the final decision.
However, holding additional discussions and proceeding with discussions on the construction timeline will likely delay the new bidding for land preparation. The Authority initially planned to hold bids within this month, but the possibility of postponement until the end of the year has increased. Ultimately, the larger plan to start construction within the year has become difficult to realize.
Construction industry insiders believe that if the land preparation timeline is finalized at the 84 months asserted by Busan city, it will be difficult to find construction companies willing to participate in the project. Many construction companies within the Daewoo E&C consortium, which are expected to participate in the bidding, have previously stated that they would withdraw if the timeline is set at 84 months.
A civil engineering official from a major construction company that had considered participating in the past stated, "Since the Gangdongdo New Airport is being developed as an international airport, safety is paramount." He added, "If it is a place for transporting global passengers and cargo, it must be built safely and sturdily, even if it takes time."