South Korea said Wednesday it will push ahead with a plan of the construction of a naval base in the southern resort island of Jeju despite criticism.

The opposition lawmakers and civic groups argued that a military base will be environmentally harmful and might ignite arms race in the region.

Construction for a base that can accommodate up to 20 naval vessels began last year in Gangjeong, a small town that turned into a scene of fierce protests by politicians and activists opposed to the plan.

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said the government will complete the project by 2015.

"Ii is about time we ended unnecessary political disputes and made concerted efforts (for the project)," Kim said at the cabinet meeting Wednesday.

The cabinet also decided to provide 578.7 billion won (517 million U.S. dollars) to help develop areas around the new base.