Construction of the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park is underway, with the first parts of it slated to open next year. Critics, however, are questioning the overall focus of the park, saying it’s not living up to its name. Minhoe Kim has more.


Report

Construction work is underway at the sprawling Jeju Myths and History Theme Park.


[SLUG]
Zone R in the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park

Zone R shows the most progress among the park’s four zones.


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721 condo units to be complete next year


Already, 79% of the work on the 721 condominium units is complete, and they should be ready to welcome families next year.

Moving to Zone A, 20% of the construction of hotels and conference facilities is now done.


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‘Resort complex with myths, history, culture’

The Jeju Myths and History Theme Park touts itself as a resort complex featuring the interesting myths, history, and culture of Jeju Island.

Looking more closely at the construction site, however, reveals it as more of a mega-accommodation facility.


During the early stages of the theme park project, entertainment facilities and a water park were planned for Zone A, and international dining, history, and culture sites were planned for Zone H.

Zone J was to feature a myths and history hall as well as a square for events.


But recently, the plans have been modified to instead feature a world theme park and accommodations in Zone A, and a “cultural” dining hall and resort buildings in Zone H.

The modified plans add accommodations, in addition to a myths and history theme park, and then an air and space museum to Zone J.

However, it is Zone R which has seen the biggest changes. Originally designed to be a themed history and culture street, it will instead be full of resort buildings, according to the modified plans.

Civic groups are criticizing the changes, saying that the main theme of myths and history is now absent.

Recording
Hong Yeong-cheol / Representative, Local NGO
If you look at how things are developing at the site, you can see that the project is pretty far off from the motif of the myths and history of Jeju Island.
< 홍영철 / 제주참여환경연대 대표 >
변경돼 온 과정을 보면 전반적으로 거기를 제주의 신화와 역사를 모티브로 한 테마파크라고 보기에는 현재 상황이 너무나 동떨어져 있다.

Landing Jeju Development, the developer, announced it will begin to welcome families to the condominiums next year, when it will also partially open the theme park.

Meanwhile, plans for Zone H have yet to be finalized.

Interview
Landing Jeju Development representative
There are no construction plans for Zone H yet. However, this won’t affect the timeline and the theme park will be fully open to guests in 2019.
< 람정제주개발 관계자 >
(H지구는) 아직 입찰이나 일정 나온 것은 없습니다. 2019년 완전 개장이니까 그 일정에는 차질 없도록...

Recently, Genting Singapore, an integrated resorts development specialist and one of the two original investors in the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park, pulled out of the project.


[Reporter] Minhoe Kim
[Camera] Kim Yong-min


The Hong Kong-based property development company Landing International, the other investor, purchased its stake and thus became the sole developer of the park.


Some are now expressing concerns over the project, arguing Landing International doesn’t have the necessary experience to properly develop a resort.

Minhoe Kim, KCTV