For the first time, the national government has included the development of a new port in Jeju in its national port master plan. As Minhoe Kim now reports, the nearly 2.5-trillion won facility will be finished in about 14 years.


Report

Seoul has announced that it will spend 2.46 trillion won through 2030 to build a new port in Jeju.


The proposed site for international cruise ships is reclaimed land in (탑동) Tapdong, Jeju City.


[slug]
Jeju's new port to have 13 berths

The plans include one berth for a 220,000-ton international ship, three for 150,000-ton vessels, one each for 20,000- and 40,000-ton domestic ferries, and seven for smaller 10,000-ton ferries.


The whole waterfront area would be developed to include entertainment, marina, recreation, and convention facilities.


The existing port has exceeded its capacity, and proponents say the new port will make Jeju an international marine destination, thereby boosting the local economy.


It is for these reasons that the project is now in the spotlight.

[slug]
New port construction included in national plan

For the first time, the project has been included in the National Port Master Plan, which is updated every five years.


[slug]
First phase of construction includes work on breakwaters, docks

The first phase of the four-phase project would see the construction of two 750-meter breakwaters and two docks, one 1,550 meters long the other 1,100 meters.


They would support one 150,000-ton cruise ship and four 10,000-ton ferries.


100 billion won has been earmarked for this first phase.


The province is anticipating breaking ground on the project in 2020 at the latest, after it carries out preliminary feasibility studies, performs an environmental impact assessment, and finishes compensating land owners.

INTERVIEW
Woo Bong-chul / Provincial government representative
It's important that Jeju’s port development was included in the national plan. We expect the new port will cut logistics costs and boost the area economy.
인터뷰)우봉출 제주특별자치도 항만공사담당
제주도에서 계획하고 있는 제주신항만 개발사업이 국가기본계획으로 반영돼 큰 의미가 있다고 생각할 수 있겠습니다. 제주신항이 개발되면 물류비 절감은 물론 원도심 발전도 같이 있을 것으로 생각하고 있습니다.


[slug]
Province faces opposition from environmentalists

However, the province is facing strong opposition. Critics say such a huge land reclamation project will lead to considerable environmental destruction.


[Reporter] Minhoe Kim
[Cemera] Kim Seung-cheol

Everyone on the island is now waiting with bated breath to see how the project develops.

Minhoe Kim, KCTV