Korean Air to build `K-Experience Park' near Gyeongbok Palace

A 36,000-square-meter site in Songhyeon-dong, central Seoul is seen in this photo. Korean Air will build a cultural complex, tentatively called “K-Experience Contents Park,” on the site next to Gyeongbok Palace as a part of the government’s cultural enrichment plan, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The government said Tuesday that it will construct multipurpose cultural facilities in central Seoul to provide fresh momentum to the Korean cultural wave or hallyu.

The highlight of the culture enrichment program is the construction of a multipurpose cultural complex near Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).

Korean Air, the nation’s flag carrier, will scrap its plan to build a hotel on the site and instead agreed to build the cultural complex next to the royal palace as part of the government’s cultural enrichment plan.

Tentatively named “K-Experience Contents Park,” the 36,000 square-meter site in Songhyeon-dong, will be developed into a cultural landmark of Korea.

“It will be a place to experience Korean culture in the heart of Seoul with a close connection to the nearby Gyeongbok Palace and Insa-dong. Visitors will rediscover the beauty of Korean traditional art in this place,” culture minister Kim Jong-deok said at a press conference.

The detailed plan follows President Park Geun-hye’s national address and Independence Day speech emphasizing the importance of cultural enrichment.

Korean Air purchased the site, previously used as the U.S. Embassy employees’ residence, in 2008 to build a luxury hotel. But this faced public opposition because the site was close to several schools. Thus, the nation’s largest airline altered the plan to build the multipurpose cultural facility.

Jo Seong-bae, a senior official of Korean Air, said the facility will feature a variety of Korean traditional and contemporary culture for Koreans and foreigners alike to come and enjoy.

“Korean Air will contribute to the government’s cultural enrichment plan. Hanjin Group, the parent group for Korean Air, is a logistics company and logistics, tourism and culture are closely related. We expect the K-Experience cultural center to create synergy with the group in the long-term,” Jo said. “The building is going to feature Korean traditional aesthetics such as the curve of the eaves and ’giwa,’ or Korean traditional roof tiles. All of the site will be used for the cultural facility.”

The plan also includes promotion of Korean traditional values and the Culture and Creativity Fusion Belt.

The ministry will establish a national brand based on Korean traditional culture to create the “Korea Premium,” which will help promote the country with better consistency.

The Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium will be renovated into a 15,000-seat arena style concert hall for K-pop, which is slated to be completed by 2017.

The K-Culture Valley in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, which will combine Korean media contents and a cultural and shopping experience, will start construction early next year, aiming to be the base for the Culture and Creativity Fusion Belt.

To promote Korean culture overseas better, the MCST will increase the number of Korean Cultural Centers from current 28 to 33 by 2017. It will also establish two Korea Centers in New York and Paris, which will include the Korean Cultural Center as well as branches of the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Creative Content Agency.

Hallyu will get major boost

Korean Air to build `K-Experience Park' near Gyeongbok Palace

meeyoo@ktimes.com