Lotte Will Be Liable for Aircraft Collision
By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter
Lotte Group has reached an agreement with the Air Force that says it will not seek compensation from the latter if fighter jets or other military airplanes collide with its planned 555-meter-tall, 112-story skyscraper in southern Seoul.
The conglomerate has also promised to buy radar and other military equipment requested by the Air Force before the structure reaches a height of 203 meters.
Both sides signed the accord last Thursday to conclude a number of outstanding issues concerning ``Lotte World II,'' two months after the government gave the green light for the multi-billion-dollar project.
Lotte and the Air Force are facing mounting criticism from the public regarding air safety issues after they decided to go ahead with the construction. Some argue they are risking the lives of the thousands that will be housed in the envisioned structure, saying if an airplane collided with it, human casualties would be enormous.
Among 13 agreements, the business group will shoulder the costs associated with the relocation of a battalion of fighter jets to Wonju, Gangwon Province, from Seoul Airport in Seongnam, south of Seoul.
Lotte promised not to sue the Air Force for damage if any of its aircraft crash into the skyscraper, unless it is intentional.
The Air Force had said that the existence of the high-rise tower would pose a collision risk to planes using the airport. The site is located just 5.7 kilometers away from Seoul Airport, a key Air Force installation integral to the defense of the capital area from North Korea, and also used by heads of states and foreign dignitaries, as special flights disrupt operations at commercial airports.
Lotte received approval from the Seoul City government for the construction project in the early 1990s but couldn't go ahead due to opposition from the Air Force. However, that changed when President Lee Myung-bak said he supported the plan because of benefits to construction and tourism industries.
Under a compromise plan, the military will alter the direction of a runway to ensure flight safety and Lotte will cover the full costs of the overhaul.
However, Thursday's pact did little to resolve public concerns over air safety. More than 20,000 people are expected to work in the building around the clock when it is completed. On top of monetary losses, human casualties could be tremendous if an airplane hit the building.