Lawmakers ask for overall review of national museum construction

The National Assembly committee on culture and tourism recommended that the ongoing construction of the National Museum of Korea be reviewed across the board for possible rescheduling. It unanimously adopted on Monday a report to that effect drafted by its subcommittee for the support of the museum construction chaired by the Millennium Democratic Party`s Rep. Lee Mi-Kyung. Legislators took issue with frequent changes of the original blueprint, hurried work on building the museum, inadequate preparation of its surroundings and a shortage of professional staff.

The committee adopted an 18-point recommendation suggesting, among other things, that an expert group for evaluation be formed to review the project in its entirety, reasonable adjustment of the deadline and a budget for construction and formulation of a master plan to streamline the surroundings of the site including the desirable relocation of a heliport. Rep. Lee said building a flawless museum was more important than meeting the deadline of December 2003 originally set by the government.

As summary of the report follows:

The project was planned to take nine years when it was first conceived as one of the major projects of the central government in 1993. But three years were spent in the course of planning and the remaining five years is too short a period to complete the massive project without risking shoddy workmanship. Work started even before the blueprint was finalized, which caused successive revisions. The contractor requested postponement of the deadline by 6-12 months and the request deserves due consideration, even at the risk of dedicating the structure in parts.

Design for the displays was unsatisfactory because it was finished in two years, instead of the 5-6 years usually needed to produce elaborate designs, and the contract was awarded to a company with no experience in display design. Negotiations for the removal of a U.S. military heliport nearby are yet to be completed. Location of a foreign military heliport in the neighborhood of the National Museum, which symbolizes Korean history and culture, is out of place and does not accord with the national sentiment and dignity of Koreans.

Kim Jung-Hoon jnghn@donga.com