Hajungdo Island, a site for Legoland Korea, in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Gangwon Province is deeply concerned about paying 60 billion won (US$50.7 million) to invest in Chuncheon Legoland, as civic groups are adding pressure on the Provincial Council to reconsider the project.
“The Legoland project, ensuing for the last eight years, is what civil society is strongly calling on to be reconsidered,” said the Chuncheon Women’s Association in a statement on Monday.
“The master development agreement (MDA) does not provide any clear-cut explanation as to who should be held accountable, which calls for its immediate termination. The province also should not give away 60 billion won.”
The Chuncheon Citizens Coalition of Economic Justice revealed in a statement that “the province, in accordance with the ambiguous provisions in the MDA, decided to pay 80 billion won to Legoland developer Merlin, and has already paid 20 billion won.”
The coalition added that “a bureau head from the province in charge of the project is rejecting Merlin’s demands to pay the remaining 60 billion won, pinpointing the selection process for a new construction firm as an excuse.”
“The total budget for Legoland, which amounts to 200 billion won, is being used without any clear-cut records, and relevant verification and documentation has yet to be completed.”
Both the Chuncheon Women’s Association and the Chuncheon Citizens Coalition of Economic Justice called on Gangwon Provincial Council to begin investigations on Gangwon Province to thoroughly verify the project.
Legoland is a mega project that involves the construction of a theme park, resort, and shopping mall across a 1,060,000㎡ lot in Chuncheon’s Jungdo neighborhood.
The project, which began seven years ago, is being delayed due to archaeological discoveries, a lack of funds, and a change in developer.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
