Critics say that the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park is dominated by accommodations and casino and lacks facilities related to local myths.

Jeju Free International City Development Center is planning to build a park themed with the island's myths and oreum.

Mike Balfour reports.

The Jeju Myths and History Theme Park opened in Jeju in 2017.

[slug] Jeju Myths and History Theme Park opened in 2017
Water park, amusement park, casino in operation

Included are water and amusement parks and the island's largest casino.

[slug] Dominated by accommodations, Lacks myths

The establishment of the park was approved as a resort themed with the myths of different countries. However, the park lacks this aspect.

[slug] JDC to build myths and oreum park in J zone

The Jeju Free International City Development Center is constructing a park under the theme of Jeju myths and oreums on 270,000 square meters of the J zone in the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park.


The planned park will include a place called "(솟을마당) Soseulmadang" or welling ground based on the ancient Jeju people's belief that gods come from the earth. The ground will be in the shape of an oreum.

A forest and a village will also be created in the park under the theme of Jeju's orally transmitted mythology.

[slug] Advisory group organized

An advisory group has been formed to provide advice on the design and maintenance of the park.

Niall Kirkwood / Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Design

<니얼커크우드/하버드 디자인대학원 교수>
"제주만의 특색을 살릴 수 있도록 역할을 하고 아이디어를 모으겠습니다. 또 한국 뿐 아니라 외국인 관광객도 매력을 느껴서 많이 방문할 수 있도록 하겠습니다."

The J zone is among four zones originally planned to have a place showing the island's myths and history.

[slug] New park to only cover 7% of Jeju Myths and History Theme Park

However, there was controversy over for-profit businesses including an amusement park and hotels in the zone. As the Jeju Aerospace Museum was built on the zone, the planned myths and oreum theme park will be able to account for only for 7 percent of area.

The question is how much the newly created park can live up to its name showing the island's culture and environment.

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

The construction of the new park is the last project in the development of the Jeju Myths and History Theme Park. It is expected to be completed in 2020 at a cost of 120 billion won. The design of the park will be finalized at the end of next year.

Mike Balfour, KCTV