Korea's transportation minister apologized to the citizens of Milyang and Busan, who had both competed to host the new airport, adding that the decision to scrap the project reflected the nation's best interests.

"State projects must be rolled out based on the country's whole interest in mind taking into account the economy, potential, and competitiveness," Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kang Ho-in said in a meeting with lawmakers.

On Tuesday, Korea said it has scrapped a plan to build a new gateway airport in the southeastern region, choosing instead to push for the expansion of the Gimhae International Airport.

The announcement was made after French airport engineering company ADPi conducted a year-long 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 -- and other options.

Critics said President Park Geun-hye will face opposition from the public as she earlier vowed to build a fresh new airport in the southeastern part of the country for balanced growth with the capital.

The government has been claiming that Park never broke her promise, as the scope of the renovation of Gimhae International Airport is as big as building a new airport. "As there will be a the construction of an independent control tower, the project should be dubbed New Gimhae International Airport," Kang argued.

The expansion project calls for not only a new control tower, but also a new 3,200 meter runway to augment the two already in operation, a new terminal, and expanded transportation infrastructure to make it easier for people to access the airport.

After construction is completed, the airport will be able to handle upwards of 40 million people annually. Currently, it is only equipped for 17 million.
Despite such explanations, the latest polls showed that residents in North Gyeongsang Province, who had wanted a new airport in Miryang, expressed their frustration.

According to data compiled by Gallup, 52 percent of the respondents in Daegu and North Geyongsang had negative views on Park's performance as president this week, up a sharp 15 percentage points from a week earlier. Only 37 percent said they still supported the chief executive.

The drop is noteworthy since the region staunchly supported the president in the past. (Yonhap)