[Opinion] 112 Stories High

The Tower of Babel in the book of Genesis was the first skyscraper in human history. After Noah’s flood, his descendants erected a tower to “reach the sky” in the city they settled in. It is said that they built the tower to display their construction technology and as a bulwark against natural disasters, including floods. Scholars estimate the tower was seven stories and 90 meters high based on historical research.

Humans have always dreamed of getting closer to the sky. Until the early 1990s, America was the mecca of skyscrapers. But that title moved to Asia when the 88-story, 452-meter tall Petronas Towers was constructed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1997. Currently, the tallest building in the world is the Taipei International Financial Center (101 stories, 508 meters) in Taiwan, which was completed in late 2004. In the Middle East, the Burj Dubai building will set a new record once the 162-story, 706-meter tall building is finished by the end of 2008 in Dubai. Both buildings are the work of Samsung Engineering and Construction.

The Tower Palace 3-G (69 stories, 261 meters) in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu; the Hyperion Tower (69 stories, 256 meters) in Mok-dong, and City Building 63 (60 stories, 249 meters) in Yeouido are the three tallest buildings in Korea. But that could change soon as buildings of more than 100 stories are planned in Sangam-dong and Yeouido in Seoul, and Song-do Island in Incheon. A second Lotte World (112 stories, 555 meters) in Jamsil, Seoul is also being planned.

The construction of a second Lotte World is creating controversy, however. The Air Force is opposed to the plan, saying that there is a risk of a flying accident since the construction site and Seoul Airport are only 5.7 kilometers apart. But Seoul government officials and Lotte argue that there will be no problem because the second tower will be built outside of the airport’s flight safety zone. Citizens are also divided. Opponents think that it is rash to start construction without a plan for dealing with the extra transportation burdens the new building would cause. Those who are for the plan believe that it is time for Seoul to have a skyscraper that they can show to the world. The Seoul city government is considering the issue in an urban construction committee today. If you were on the committee, would you be for or against the construction plan?

Song Young-eon, Editorial Writer, youngeon@donga.com