Gov`t Considers Establishing 300,000 Pyong Size Hotel Complex in Ilsan

The government is considering developing 30,000 pyong of hotel complexes and theme parks nearby Hosoo Park in Ilsan, Koyang City, Gyunggi Province. While the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism agree on the plan, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are strongly opposing to the plan.

The government discussed a basic plan for the development of Ilsan tour hotel complex and the plan for the redevelopment of old style market, submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at a Economy Minister`s meeting presided over by Deputy Prime Jin Nyun and the Minister of Finance and Economy yesterday.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Gyunggi Province submitted a plan that construct lodging facilities and the tour facilities by changing the usage of 300,000 pyong of farming land and the nature preservation area in Hosoo Park, that is, the surrounding areas where the International Convention Center is planned to be constructed, in order to host various international conferences and foreign tourists. The Ministry of Finance and Economy decided to examine measures including the reduction of taxes to support the plan.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is opposing to the plan because it would like to preserve the farming land, while the Ministry of Environment is opposing to the change of the usage of land due to the destruction of environment.

At the meeting, the government finalized and announced the plan that will `strengthen the competitiveness in the areas including the traditional style market and service area where underprivileged people are mostly working.

According to the plan, the government will invest 16 billion won of the national fund to the remodeling business of 32 exemplary traditional style markets, which are to be selected by each local government, and 20 billion won to the facility expansion business of the 47 old style markets.

Park Joong-Hyun sanjuck@donga.com