The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has released a final plan for the construction of a new port on the island. It will spend nearly two-and-a-half trillion won on the new facility through the year 2030. Joseph Kim reports.




Report

The Jeju Port opened in 1927 to link the island and other cities of the nation.


The number of vessels that dock at the port has been increasing every year and domestic ferries have been carrying a greater number of passengers to Jeju.


International tourists are also pouring into the island by ship.

The existing port has exceeded capacity.

Seoul announced that it will build a brand-new port in Jeju.

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New port planned for Jeju

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced the finalized National Port Master Plan. The plan includes a project for a new Jeju port.

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Facility will have 13 berths

Three phases of the new port construction project that the island suggested are all included in the national plan.

Four berths for 220,000-ton international ships, and nine berths for domestic ferries are included in the project.

The project will see the construction of 4.9-kilometer breakwaters to minimize damage from high waves and rough seas.

And the whole waterfront area would be developed to include entertainment, recreation, and convention facilities.

2.452 trillion won in total will be spent through 2030.

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Work will begin on \2.5t facility in 2020

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 negotiates compensation for land owners.

INTERVIEW
Shin Yong-beom / Provincial government representative
The province plans to begin construction in the latter half of 2020. The new facility will be able to handle 1.6 million passengers a year. The new port will make Jeju an international marine destination, thereby boosting the local economy.
<인터뷰 : 신용범/제주특별자치도 해운항만물류과장>
"2020년 하반기에는 제주신항 개발이 본격적으로 착공돼 추진하게 될 계획입니다. 2030년까지
160만 명의 크루즈 관광객을 처리하고 여러 가지 산업들이 // 활성화될 것으로 보고 있습니다. "

The project seems ready to go.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

However, critics say such a huge land reclamation project will lead to considerable environmental damage, meaning the province will face strong opposition and it needs to come up with plans to reduce its environmental impact.

Joseph Kim, KCTV