The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is confirmed to have essentially opposed plans to build a new airport on the southeastern Gadeok Island.

The ministry met with lawmakers on a related parliamentary committee earlier this month to deliver a 16-page report that included a feasibility review on the project, as well as laying out problems in safety, operability and economic efficiency. 

The ministry expressed concern over the increased risk of accidents in the area and the difficulty and dangers related to the construction. It also noted failures in similar cases such as in Tokyo and Montreal, where only international air traffic was diverted to the outskirts of a city.

The report estimated a budget of 28-point-seven trillion won in order for Gadeok airport to become a gateway airport to Southeast Asia by servicing both domestic and international routes and housing military facilities. 

The figure is far higher than the seven and a half trillion estimated by Busan City which is pushing for the project as the island lies within its administrative authority.