Asked about the relocation of Songshan Airport, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told the media at the Legislative Yuan today that the Ministry of National Defense had already clearly stated its position in its recent special report to the Legislative Yuan: Songshan Airport is a key node in the defense of the capital region and plays a vital military role in both peacetime and wartime, and both the feasibility of any alternative facilities and their ability to ensure continuity of military operations must be carefully assessed.
Minister Koo pointed out that if the plan to relocate Songshan Airport involves military considerations, it must proceed on the premise that overall defense capabilities remain unaffected. Provided that the central government undertakes careful planning, the Ministry will provide its recommendations based on its professional expertise to ensure the continued effective functioning of the nation's security and defense mechanisms.
In addition, asked by the media whether Cabinet members and local government heads had clashed during discussions at the Executive Yuan Council (Cabinet) meeting, Minister Koo stressed that there had been no so-called“war of words”at the meeting. Instead, the relevant ministries and agencies had fully expressed their views based on their respective responsibilities and professional expertise.