[The Chosun Ilbo, November 30 2007] If You Build It, Will They Come?

Gyeonggi Province recently signed a memorandum of understanding with a representative of Universal Parks & Resorts of the U.S. to build a theme park on reclaimed land near Sihwa Lake. The provincial government says it will be a supersize park with a golf course, a convention center, a hotel and a condominium. Other talks are also under way to build a Hallyuwood park in Goyang to capitalize on the Korean Wave, and a theme park with a 108-hole golf course in Pocheon, both in Gyeonggi Province. Siheung City in the same province is currently negotiating with MGM Studios to build yet another theme park. Other areas in Gyeonggi Province, such as New Songdo City, a special economic zone in the province, Cheongna district, and Yeongjong Island, have also set their eyes on theme parks. Other regions, including Taean in South Chungcheong Province and Busan, are considering building theme parks of their own.

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Korea surely needs world-class theme parks. But we are mistaken if we believe that sufficient numbers of foreign tourists will be enchanted by the brand names of such theme parks alone.