In exchange for permission to modify the plan for the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park, the developer agreed to a number of conditions. Critics say the company hasn't fulfilled those requirements and that the provincial government has failed to properly oversee the development. Mike Balfour reports.


Report
Permission for modifications to the construction plan of the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park was given in November 2014 with a number of conditions agreed to by its developer.

Islanders criticize that the conditions are not realistic nor legally binding and that the developer has failed to fulfill as agreed.


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A key condition was that at least 80 percent of the theme park complex staff be from Jeju. But only 67 percent of the workers are from the island.

As of November 2016, 255 personnel have been hired - 171 are from Jeju.

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The developer pledged that local contractors would have opportunities to get involved in at least 50 percent of the construction work.

But Landing Jeju Development has failed to meet the condition.

Construction contracts of 1 trillion and 114.1 billion won have been signed so far. Contracts of 527.3 billion won have been made with local contractors. That is 46.2 percent of the total contract amount.

[SLUG]
‘Landing ignores local concerns’
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The developer also pledged to come up with plans to address complaints from area residents. Landing also said it would organize consultative bodies to help area residents throughout the project.

However, consultative bodies have been limited to the communities of Seogwangdong-ri and Seogwangseo-ri in Andeok-myeon.

Recording
Representative, Landing Jeju Development
The conditions are recommendations, not obligations. We can voluntarily meet the local contractor involvement ratio and local employment ratio.
<싱크: 람정제주개발 관계자>
"권고사항이죠. 제주도에서 원도급 50%, 도민고용 80% 이상 등등 그것이 도에서 허가를 내주면서 권고사항이죠."

These are all figures tracked down so far.

Islanders have no way to check how the company is addressing complaints from area residents.

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‘Poor supervision of project by province’

People point out that the province set unsubstantial conditions and failed to supervise the mega project.

Sync
Representative, Provincial government
The construction modifications were approved with the conditions. We can come to mutual understandings regarding other problems on a case-by-case basis.
<싱크: 제주도관계자>
"지금 조건은 4가지가 승인 조건이고, 나머지는 피해가 있으면 그때그때 상생협약 차원에서 하라는 것이고..."

The original theme of myth and history has taken a back seat while luxurious hotels and condominiums are being built in the park.

[Report] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Critics say that the province no longer cares about the original project and silently supports the developer’s business.

Mike Balfour, KCTV