Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party candidate for Incheon's Yeonsu-A constituency, presented a regional development blueprint by leveraging his ties from his time as Incheon mayor. However, he bowed his head and said he was "sorry" in response to criticism that he had left Incheon to run for Seoul mayor. Regarding the potential merger of Incheon International Airport Corporation, he expressed a firm stance of "absolute opposition."
At a press briefing held at the Incheon City Hall press room on Thursday, Song said, "Yeonsu residents do not see me as a parachute candidate," emphasizing, "During my time as mayor, we worked together on installing elevators at Seonhak-dong municipal apartments, securing the Seonhak Stadium site, and planning Square One."
Responding to criticism from some quarters that he was "a politician who left Incheon," Song said, "If people say it was wrong for me to run for Seoul mayor after serving as Incheon mayor, I have nothing to say in response." He added, "I offer my apologies to the people of Incheon."
On the controversy over merging Incheon International Airport Corporation with Korea Airports Corporation, Song made his opposition clear. "I have consistently defended Incheon International Airport Corporation," he said, emphasizing, "I blocked attempts to rename it 'Sejong Airport' and attempts during the Lee Myung-bak administration to sell 49 percent of its stake overseas." He added, "I spoke by phone with Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and confirmed that 'nothing is under review at all.' There has been some exaggeration because it is election season."
Song also proposed construction of a fifth runway at Incheon International Airport. "The Sky72 Ocean View site is the planned location for the fifth runway," he said. "We need to begin construction now to prepare for an era of 100 million annual passengers." He stressed, "If India's passport holding rate of 5 percent and China's 12 percent rise to just 20 percent, enormous tourism demand will emerge. To maintain our hub airport status against Beijing and Changi airports, preemptive investment is needed."
He named the on-schedule opening of the GTX-B line in 2031 as his top priority. He also presented the development of a Cheonghak Station multi-modal transit center and the Second Gyeongin Line project as key issues. The Second Gyeongin Line, valued at approximately 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion), is being pursued privately by Daewoo E&C.
He also unveiled plans to revitalize KTX high-speed rail services. "For KTX to come alive, we need to connect Songdo Station directly to Incheon International Airport via Hain-cheon Station," Song said. "I will push through approximately 8 to 9 kilometers of new tracks."
He also plans to revive the development of a 120,000-pyeong (approximately 397,000-square-meter) Songdo amusement park site. "This site, which has been reduced to a used car sales complex, is divided among about 100 owners, requiring compensation costs alone of 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion)," Song said. "I will review using 50,000 pyeong of land behind Incheon New Port as an alternative site."
He also plans to accelerate development of a 300,000-pyeong theme park site owned by Booyoung Group. "I will meet with the Booyoung chairman and intensively work to find a solution for theme park construction," Song said. "I will find a balance between theme park construction and development profits."
He also detailed his job-linkage vision. "I have spoken by phone with the CEOs of Samsung Biologics (207940.KS), Celltrion (068270.KS), and SK Bio," he said. "I will connect internship and employment opportunities for students at four specialized high schools in Yeonsu district with Songdo's advanced industries."
