Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is moving to spend KRW 41 billion in public funds to preserve cultural heritage excavated during the development of Legoland, while Legoland has separately sought compensation of about KRW 13 billion for losses it claims to have incurred during the project. The developments are reigniting concerns over the financial burden and responsibility surrounding the controversial development.
The province is pursuing construction of a museum and archaeological park to preserve and display artifacts and remains discovered at Jungdo Island, where the Legoland project was developed. The project is currently undergoing a central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The museum was part of the conditions attached to the initial approval of the Legoland development. In 2017, the Cultural Heritage Administration required the preservation and management of excavated cultural assets as part of the approval process for the project.
The original plan was for Jungdo Development Corp. (GJC) to finance the facilities by selling land on Jungdo Island. However, the project was delayed after land sales failed to proceed as planned, eventually leaving Gangwon Province to shoulder the cost.
The financial controversy has now been compounded by Legoland's compensation claim.
Legoland has reportedly been seeking compensation from GJC and Gangwon Province for several years, claiming that it suffered losses of approximately KRW 13 billion during the development process, including costs associated with redesigning a hotel.
GJC and Gangwon Province, however, maintain that they have no responsibility for the losses claimed by Legoland. With the two sides holding opposing positions, the dispute could potentially escalate into legal action if negotiations fail.
The latest development has also raised concerns among local residents and civic groups that Gangwon Province could face an even greater financial burden after already assuming substantial costs related to the Legoland project.
The Citizens' Countermeasures Committee for Stopping the Waste of Taxpayer Money on Legoland issued a statement on Aug. 10 criticizing the development. The group argued that residents have already borne excessive financial and administrative burdens stemming from the project's debt and controversial agreements, and accused Legoland of seeking to shift an additional KRW 13 billion burden onto taxpayers rather than pursuing its own measures to address the losses.
The Gangwon branch of the Justice Party also criticized the compensation demand, arguing that Legoland has already benefited from various infrastructure projects as well as administrative and financial support from the province.
The party questioned whether Legoland is seeking to transfer the consequences of its own claimed losses to local taxpayers without demonstrating a willingness to coexist with the surrounding community.
