The Magic Kingdom Coming to Seoul?
The Mayor of Seoul, Lee Myung Bak is reporting that the city government is in negotiations with the Walt Disney company to build a theme park here in Korea:
Seoul, South Korea, Mayor Lee Myung Bak says the city is in talks with The Walt Disney Co. about opening a theme park there, according to media reports Tuesday.
The park would be Disney’s third in Asia. It opened one in Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and the company’s newest park, Hong Kong Disneyland, opened Sept. 12.
Disney is considering building the park at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, southern Seoul, reports say.
Disney President Robert Iger said earlier this month that the company is considering building a park in Shanghai after 2010.
According to reports, a theme park in South Korea could boost the economy by nearly doubling tourist visits. Hong Kong Disneyland officials have said they expect the park to generate $19 billion in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period. It is expected to attract 5.6 million visitors each year.
I doubt Disney will build a theme park in Korea because it would dilute the two theme parks they already have here in Asia. However, if Disney does build a theme park in Seoul it would be a major coup for Mayor Lee and would probably solidify him as a front runner for the next Korean presidential election.
