ID :
39288
Wed, 01/07/2009 - 16:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/39288
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea veers in favor of business conglomerate in airstrip row
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; TRIMS throughout; ADDS background on Lotte Group in
final para)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea decided Wednesday to consider slightly
altering a key military airstrip just outside Seoul to allow a local conglomerate
to build a major skyscraper within its operational vicinity.
The decision by the prime minister's office signals an end to a high-profile
conflict of interest between business and national security that has been
underway here for the last 14 years.
The spat erupted in 1995 when Lotte Group, one of South Korea's biggest
companies, sought to erect a landmark tower that would be annexed to its popular
amusement park in southeastern Seoul.
The Air Force balked at the plan, saying a structure as tall as 555 meters would
disrupt the safety of planes flying in and out of its two-strip airfield less
than 6 kilometers south of Lotte World.
The previous Roh Moo-hyun administration ruled in favor of the Air Force in 2007,
but officials indicated they were mulling a reversal after President Lee
Myung-bak took office last year and called for closer ties between his
conservative government and business groups.
Kim Kwang-woo, an official at the Ministry of National Defense, said Lotte
proposed last month it would undertake "100 percent" of the costs involved in
turning a runaway by 3 degrees so that the planned 112-story building would not
obstruct airplanes in motion.
Estimates vary as the defense ministry refuses to disclose projected figures, but
observers say the reshaping construction would cost 100 billion won (US$77.5
million) to 150 billion won.
"We will not allow a concession if Lotte fails to meet its pledge that it will
take up the costs entirely," Kim told reporters.
The airfield in the city of Seongnam sits next to a U.S. military base and serves
as an integral part of South Korea's capital defense, according to defense
experts. South Korean presidents and foreign dignitaries have used the field to
avoid disrupting operations at commercial airports.
Lotte Group, founded by a Korean businessman in Japan, is one of South Korea's
largest family-run businesses, overseeing about 50 subsidiaries ranging from
retail and finances to hotels and entertainment. Lotte World, its main recreation
complex that opened in 1989 in the Jamsil area, is estimated to draw 5 million
visitors each year.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
final para)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea decided Wednesday to consider slightly
altering a key military airstrip just outside Seoul to allow a local conglomerate
to build a major skyscraper within its operational vicinity.
The decision by the prime minister's office signals an end to a high-profile
conflict of interest between business and national security that has been
underway here for the last 14 years.
The spat erupted in 1995 when Lotte Group, one of South Korea's biggest
companies, sought to erect a landmark tower that would be annexed to its popular
amusement park in southeastern Seoul.
The Air Force balked at the plan, saying a structure as tall as 555 meters would
disrupt the safety of planes flying in and out of its two-strip airfield less
than 6 kilometers south of Lotte World.
The previous Roh Moo-hyun administration ruled in favor of the Air Force in 2007,
but officials indicated they were mulling a reversal after President Lee
Myung-bak took office last year and called for closer ties between his
conservative government and business groups.
Kim Kwang-woo, an official at the Ministry of National Defense, said Lotte
proposed last month it would undertake "100 percent" of the costs involved in
turning a runaway by 3 degrees so that the planned 112-story building would not
obstruct airplanes in motion.
Estimates vary as the defense ministry refuses to disclose projected figures, but
observers say the reshaping construction would cost 100 billion won (US$77.5
million) to 150 billion won.
"We will not allow a concession if Lotte fails to meet its pledge that it will
take up the costs entirely," Kim told reporters.
The airfield in the city of Seongnam sits next to a U.S. military base and serves
as an integral part of South Korea's capital defense, according to defense
experts. South Korean presidents and foreign dignitaries have used the field to
avoid disrupting operations at commercial airports.
Lotte Group, founded by a Korean businessman in Japan, is one of South Korea's
largest family-run businesses, overseeing about 50 subsidiaries ranging from
retail and finances to hotels and entertainment. Lotte World, its main recreation
complex that opened in 1989 in the Jamsil area, is estimated to draw 5 million
visitors each year.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
