The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday that it would "respect" the results of a feasibility study that a French firm has been conducting to select a site for a new airport in the country's southeastern region.

Its remarks came as the issue of choosing the site has taken on political overtones with politicians scurrying to protect the interests of their voters in the two candidate sites -- Milyang, South Gyeongsang Province and Gadeok Island in the southern port city of Busan.

"Of course, we will respect the outcome of the feasibility study that the government commissioned (the French firm to conduct)," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.

The chosen candidate for the new airport is expected to be announced late next week. Commissioned by the South Korean government, ADPI, a French company specializing in airport architecture and engineering, has been deliberating on the final site.

Cheong Wa Dae has so far remained noncommittal as any move to take sides could trigger political backlash ahead of next year's presidential election.

Political watchers say the presidential office might also be concerned that the selection of the site for the new airport could cause a rift in the southeastern region, the ruling Saenuri Party's traditional stronghold. (Yonhap)