The construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, entrusted to the Gadeokdo Airport Construction Authority, gained parliamentary approval in October, aligning with the government’s ambitious plan to host the 2030 Expo in Busan. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BUSAN, Nov. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – In a disappointing turn of events for residents of Busan, the city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo has fallen through, casting shadows over key infrastructure projects, particularly the early opening of the eagerly anticipated Gadeokdo New Airport. The government, which once aimed to open the airport by December 2029 in preparation for the Expo, now faces uncertainty in the execution of this critical project.
The construction of the Gadeokdo New Airport, entrusted to the Gadeokdo Airport Construction Authority, gained parliamentary approval in October, aligning with the government’s ambitious plan to host the 2030 Expo in Busan. However, with the failure of the Expo bid, there are concerns about the government’s readiness to maintain momentum in the construction of the new airport.
The envisioned airport, covering an area of 6.6 million square meters in Gangseo-gu, Gadeokdo, is slated to operate as a 24-hour international airport.
Busan’s failed bid has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to maintaining the pace of the new airport’s construction. Originally estimated to take nine years and eight months, the airport’s projected opening in June 2035 could be delayed if adjustments are not made promptly.
The postponement of the Gadeokdo New Airport’s opening could also have a domino effect on associated projects, such as the development of Gadeokdo as a multifaceted city with residential, commercial, and logistics facilities, and the designation of the nearby former Hwajeon Sports Park as a free economic zone.
The relocation plan of the U.S. military’s 55th Supply Depot and Pier 8 at the Busan North Port, initially intended to facilitate Expo-related activities, may also face setbacks, potentially affecting the establishment of the world’s first maritime city in the waters off Busan. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The construction of the Busan high-speed railway (BuTX) connecting the downtown area with key locations like the Busan North Port and the planned Expo site is also at risk of delays. The BuTX project, a private investment initiative, envisions hydrogen-powered trains traversing a tunnel more than 40 meters underground, providing rapid transit from Gadeokdo New Airport to Busan North Port in 18 minutes and to the Osiria Tourist Complex in East Busan in 33 minutes.
Additionally, the expansion of the regional transportation network, including railways and roads connecting Gadeokdo New Airport with Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province, is also at risk. The ambitious redevelopment plan for the Busan North Port area, originally scheduled to be completed by 2027 for Expo construction, is now uncertain.
The relocation plan of the U.S. military’s 55th Supply Depot and Pier 8 at the Busan North Port, initially intended to facilitate Expo-related activities, may also face setbacks, potentially affecting the establishment of the world’s first maritime city in the waters off Busan.
The floating city, planned in collaboration with the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and New York-based Oceanix, was expected to feature three floating platforms totaling 6.3 hectares, designed to accommodate 12,000 residents.
In response to these setbacks, a Busan city official stated, “While the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo has fallen through, we will actively promote the importance of projects like the early opening of the Gadeokdo New Airport as crucial drivers for balanced development and local growth, ensuring they proceed without disruptions.”
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
