ID :
36697
Sat, 12/20/2008 - 13:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36697
The shortlink copeid
Gov't expected to allow construction of Lotte World skyscraper
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government is expected to allow the
construction of a 555-meter-tall skyscraper near a key air base on the outskirts
of Seoul, an official source said Saturday.
The defense ministry source said on condition of anonymity that the Prime
Minister is looking into administrative aspects of allowing construction to begin
on the second Lotte World complex in Jamsil.
The site is located just 5.7 kilometers away from the Seongnam air base, a key
Air Force installation integral to the defense of the capital city. It is also
used by the South Korean president and other foreign dignitaries because special
flights would disrupt operations at commercial airports.
It was, ironically, the Prime Minister's office under the previous Roh Moo-hyun
administration that first ruled against the construction of the 112-story
structure that Lotte claims will become one of Seoul's landmark towers. At that
time, decision makers sided with the Air Force and said Lotte could only build
the tower if it was under 203 meters.
The height restriction was based on the threat of a possible collision with
planes landing or taking off from Seongnam air base.
"Experts are looking at four alternatives that would allow construction to begin
once the decision is made as early as next year," the official said.
He added, however, that even if approval is granted a lot of follow up work would
still need to be done.
Of the four alternatives, government insiders said a move to alter the direction
of a runway at the air base by between three and 10 degrees, which would
alleviate concerns of a collision though it would be costly and could trigger
protests from residents near the military facility.
Other plans involve discontinuing use of the air field altogether or getting
Lotte to build a shorter tower. The third and fourth options are unlikely at
present.
The Air Force had initially opposed construction of the tower but recently
changed its stance on the issue.
The government is also looking at the project more favorably, as the incumbent
Lee Myung-bak administration hopes to use it bolster the nation's construction
sector, which accounts for roughly 18 percent of the country's gross domestic
product.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
construction of a 555-meter-tall skyscraper near a key air base on the outskirts
of Seoul, an official source said Saturday.
The defense ministry source said on condition of anonymity that the Prime
Minister is looking into administrative aspects of allowing construction to begin
on the second Lotte World complex in Jamsil.
The site is located just 5.7 kilometers away from the Seongnam air base, a key
Air Force installation integral to the defense of the capital city. It is also
used by the South Korean president and other foreign dignitaries because special
flights would disrupt operations at commercial airports.
It was, ironically, the Prime Minister's office under the previous Roh Moo-hyun
administration that first ruled against the construction of the 112-story
structure that Lotte claims will become one of Seoul's landmark towers. At that
time, decision makers sided with the Air Force and said Lotte could only build
the tower if it was under 203 meters.
The height restriction was based on the threat of a possible collision with
planes landing or taking off from Seongnam air base.
"Experts are looking at four alternatives that would allow construction to begin
once the decision is made as early as next year," the official said.
He added, however, that even if approval is granted a lot of follow up work would
still need to be done.
Of the four alternatives, government insiders said a move to alter the direction
of a runway at the air base by between three and 10 degrees, which would
alleviate concerns of a collision though it would be costly and could trigger
protests from residents near the military facility.
Other plans involve discontinuing use of the air field altogether or getting
Lotte to build a shorter tower. The third and fourth options are unlikely at
present.
The Air Force had initially opposed construction of the tower but recently
changed its stance on the issue.
The government is also looking at the project more favorably, as the incumbent
Lee Myung-bak administration hopes to use it bolster the nation's construction
sector, which accounts for roughly 18 percent of the country's gross domestic
product.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
