 An artist’s concept of Jeju Aerospace Museum / Courtesy of Land, Transport Ministry |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Tourist haven Jeju Island, famous for flowers, rocks and wind, could become a technology hub when an aerospace museum is completed by 2013.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs started construction at Shinhwa Park, Seogwipo, Tuesday with a planned investment of some 130 billion won ($100 million) in the project.
The ministry, the Air Force and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province have teamed up to bring the museum to fruition.
The 330,000-square-meter complex is to be composed of an ``experience center'' where people can try programs related to the space industry and view ``exhibitions'' showing basic information about air and space, which are still considered largely irrelevant to many people here.
Pilot training, simulators, entertainment facilities, training centers and a three-dimensional cinema and planetarium are to be built to attract the younger generation. A history museum focusing on Korean space studies and the Air Force will appeal to other age groups, the ministry said.
The museum surroundings will feature five theme parks where people can sit in aircraft exhibits.
Simulated Air Force combat, operational training and a military transport for soldiers are also to be exhibited.
The government anticipates the attraction will draw 2.5 million tourists per year.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
