“North Port development centered on apartments will face public anger.”

Former Rep. Choi In-ho gave a lecture at the '55 Supply Depot Relocation and Maritime Cluster Creation Meeting'

A meeting was held in Dong-gu, Busan, where the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is moving, on the relocation of the US 55 Supply Depot and the redevelopment of the North Port, which are major areas of interest in the region.

Green Life held a meeting in the conference room on the 5th floor of Busan Station on the 13th and shouted, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and HMM headquarters are also moving to North Port! Reviving the original downtown, now is the opportunity." About 20 people attended the event, including former National Assembly member Choi In-ho, city council member Jeon Won-seok, district councilor Lee Im-seon (Saha-gu), doctors, lawyers, construction and real estate industry workers, and citizens.

First, in the case of Supply Depot 55, the problem of contaminated soil from a nearby apartment construction site was also pointed out in the government audit, but Busan City criticized that there was no significant movement after Mayor Park Hyeong-jun's statement of 'active review' and ordered 'speed'. Some expressed concerns about health issues for nearby residents. University professor A pointed out, "There are almost no cases of epidemiological investigation of old military bases, and the 55th Supply Depot should not only move troops, but also investigate the level of contamination of surrounding groundwater and exposure to volatile substances."

Baek Hae-ju, CEO of Green Life, also said that there is a need to discuss practical policies for Busan's development, including the water purification issue of nearby Dongcheon, which is a waste of budget, and said, "Above all, the space where the 55th Supply Depot left was should be created as a park, and no other facilities or buildings, such as apartments, should be built."

There was also great interest in hosting a maritime specialized court. Park Dong-il, CEO of Daeryun Law Firm, said, “Without a maritime court, we rely on foreign courts and arbitration institutions such as the UK, Singapore, and China, causing dispute costs of approximately 200 billion to 500 billion won to be leaked overseas every year.” He added, “The maritime court is essential for quick and accurate rulings, establishment of maritime sovereignty, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.”

Attorney Choi Yong-gi also emphasized, "Some see it as a competitive structure with Incheon City in relation to hosting the Maritime Court, but before competing for a big house or a small house, work related to international cases must be brought to Busan. This will be a great help in substantive regional development, such as the development of the Northern Sea Route, which is also President Lee Jae-myung's pledge, and the development of related industries and human resources training."

The issue of relocating Sajik Baseball Stadium to the North Port was also discussed. Park Young-bok, a construction company executive, selected 'creation of the North Port Sports + Culture Complex' as Busan's task for balanced development, along with the 55th Supply Depot, Gadeok New Airport, and the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and related organizations. He said, “In terms of citizen response and cultural tourism, a facility that combines a dome-type baseball stadium and an arena-level performance hall is desirable, but a comprehensive review is needed that links construction costs with the Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction plan.” In addition, it was proposed to install a library, swimming pool, and outdoor performance hall in the space where Sajik Baseball Stadium left.

Former lawmaker Choi In-ho, the guest speaker, said, "I believe that communication between the Ministry of National Defense and Busan City is important regarding the issue of relocating the 55th Supply Depot. I will look for a role that will help the citizens of Busan." He continued, "There is a lot of interest in the development of the North Port, which will change the future food map of Busan." He added, "Conflicts will be reduced and positive functions will be maximized if we approach the development from the perspective of Busan's entire development, rather than attracting specific facilities and institutions to specific local governments."

In particular, regarding the first phase of the North Port development, he emphasized, "There are criticisms that development centered on apartments and officetels by special interest groups is gaining momentum, and all citizens are indignant. If the first, second, and third phases are combined, it will become a wonderful world-class city that will surpass New York City, so we must correct this before it is too late." Regarding the development of the site behind Sajik Baseball Stadium, he expressed caution, saying that although libraries and swimming pools are good, there will be people who will be disappointed and there will be voices opposing it.

The housing issue of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries officials was also discussed, especially among citizens of Dong-gu, the location of the 55th Supply Depot and the relocation site of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Jeong Nam-jin, CEO of J Real Estate Brokerage Corporation, said, “Approximately 32,000 new apartments will be supplied near the North Port from 2026 to 2031,” adding, “By utilizing the residential land and residential-commercial complex land within the second phase of the North Port site, we will be able to support the settlement of employees of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and related organizations.”

 

Seo Jin-seok, Yeongnam headquarters reporter (sisa533@sisajournal.com)

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"Apartment-oriented North Port development will face citizen anger" (Shortcut)