A new port will be constructed in Tapdong area in Jeju City.

It will have docking facilities for four international cruise ships and nine domestic ferries at the same time.

Todd Thacker reports.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon recently chaired a meeting in Sejong Special Autonomous City at which the mid- and long-term basic plans for the creation of 12 new ports around the country, including one in Jeju, were discussed and finalized.

[slug] Basic plans for new port get the go ahead

Two and a half years ago the national government delayed its decision on the basic plans for a new Jeju port.

Recording
Lee Nak-yeon / Prime Minister
For the project to go smoothly, the relevant ministries should come up with detailed annual plans. Regional governments and the private sector should operate high value-added businesses at the new ports that meet the demands of users and reflect local features.
씽크)이낙연 국무총리
관계부처는 이 계획이 차질없이 이행되도록 지자체 및 민간과 함께 연도별 세부시행계획을 마련해 시행해주시길 바랍니다. 지자체와 민간은 지역의 수요와 특성에 맞는 고부가가치 산업을 항만에 유치하고…

[slug] Timetable: 2019-2040, Budget: \2.866T
Facilities: Breakwater, shore protection, docking facilities, roads

The site for the port will be reclaimed from the sea near (탑동) Tap-dong, (건입동) Geonip-dong, (삼도동) Samdo-dong and (용담동) Yongdam-dong.

2.8 trillion won, including 1.8 trillion won in national funding, will be spent on the project through the year 2040.

The plan for the new port includes building breakwaters, shore protection facilities, and docking areas.

[slug] Docking facilities for 4 int’l cruise ships, 9 domestic ferries

Docking facilities will be able to accommodate up to four 220,000-ton international cruise ships and nine ferries at the same time.

Integrated areas for businesses, the arts, and tourism will also be part of the new port.

[slug] Construction to begin in 2023, with phase 1 completed by 2030

Construction is set to begin in 2023 with phase 1, which focuses on the surrounding area, to wrap up by 2030.

The province expects that the project will help promote the island as a popular cruise layover and boost the local economy.

Recording
Jo Dong-geun / Provincial Official
We're planning to create an improved and eco-friendly port for international cruises. This will add value to tourism and prepare for a rapid increase in demand for layovers at the island.
씽크)조동근 제주특별자치도 해양수산국장
제주의 관광잠재력을 배가하고 기항 크루즈 수요 급증에 대비한 동북아의 고품격. 친환경 크루즈 모항 육성을 목적으로 추진하고 있고

The legal groundwork for the construction of the new port is now in place, but there is still a long way to go.

[slug]A number of steps awaiting clearance: Preliminary feasibility study, compensation

Major hurdles for the province include a mandatory preliminary study and an environmental and traffic impact evaluation. Assessing the fishing rights at the site and providing compensation will also present challenges.

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Environmental groups are expected to raise concerns over the massive land reclamation plan. Questions also remain about whether the public is in fact in favor of a new port for international cruise ships and the deluge of thousands of passengers.

And finally, there is the matter of securing roughly 1 trillion won in investments from the private sector. This is roughly 35 percent of the total cost of the new port project.

Todd Thacker, KCTV