South Korea's presidential office on Wednesday said the decision to scrap plans to build a new airport in the southeastern part of the country does not constitute a break from President Park Geun-hye's campaign pledge, adding greatly expanding existing facilities should be viewed as a fulfillment of the promise.
On Tuesday, South Korea said it would not pursue a plan to build a new gateway airport in the southeastern region, choosing instead to push for the expansion of Busan's existing Gimhae International Airport.
The announcement was made after French airport engineering company ADPi conducted a yearlong feasibility study on two candidate sites for the new international airport -- Miryang, a rural town located between Busan and Daegu, and Busan's Gedeok Island -- as well as other options.
"I do not agree that (Park) broke her campaign pledges," a presidential spokesman said. "I think (Park) kept her promise."
"The decision was made based on various conditions, and thus can be considered the most optimal choice," the official added. He pointed out that expanding Gimhae airport will effectively be like building a new airport.
The government already said it will significantly update the transportation infrastructure to and from the airport. It will increase the size of the airport's passenger terminal to handle more people. (Yonhap)