"Children and Adults Alike with Childlike Innocence" The World's 10th Legoland Officially Opens on Children's Day Next Year (Comprehensive)

Kim Young-pil, President of Legoland Korea Resort.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] "Families with children aged 2 to 12 will think of LEGOLAND first when considering a short vacation or a break."

The world's 10th LEGOLAND will officially open next year on Children's Day (May 5) on Jungdo Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. On the 28th, Kim Young-pil, president of LEGOLAND Korea Resort, held an online press conference and stated, "LEGOLAND Korea Resort is the only LEGOLAND built on an island worldwide, and thanks to the surrounding natural environment, it will be the most beautiful LEGOLAND in the world."

LEGOLAND Korea Resort is the first global theme park in Korea targeting children aged 2 to 12, families, and adults who love LEGO. Since the first LEGOLAND Park opened in Billund, Denmark in 1968, LEGOLAND parks have been operated in Windsor, UK; G?nzburg, Germany; California, Florida, and New York in the USA; Johor Bahru, Malaysia; Dubai, UAE; and Nagoya, Japan.

LEGOLAND Korea Resort consists of seven LEGO-themed zones: Bricktopia, Brick Street, LEGO City, LEGO Ninjago, Pirate Seas, LEGO Castle, and Miniland. It offers more than 40 rides, attractions (experience facilities), and shows made from LEGO bricks. A LEGO-themed hotel will also be built, comprising a total of 154 rooms. Currently, the LEGOLAND theme park is 99.5% complete and near completion, while construction of the LEGOLAND Hotel began in February and is 30-40% complete. Therefore, it is expected that both will open simultaneously next year.

Legoland Korea Resort made with Lego bricks.

Starting from the 30th, a limited edition annual pass called the 'First to Play Pass' will be sold, allowing early access to the facilities before the official opening. Visitors can experience the resort during a two-week soft opening period before the grand opening. The sale price (149,000 KRW) is set lower than the regular annual pass. Physical cards will also be issued. Regarding the price of the regular pass, it was stated, "It is being coordinated at the headquarters level" and "It will be similar to existing theme parks."

President Kim explained the reason Korea was chosen as the 10th LEGOLAND location: "Considerations included Korea's elevated economic status and the expected increase in domestic tourism demand for theme park resorts. Since there is no global theme park in Korea yet, we saw it as competitive." He added that Chuncheon has good accessibility to the metropolitan area via the Gyeongchun Line and Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, and its beautiful natural scenery makes it a target for family customers. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the number of visitors to amusement parks worldwide grew by 3.5% in 2019. It is expected that growth will accelerate after COVID-19.

The resort also plans to focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management. President Kim said, "ESG is a value that our parent company, Merlin Entertainments, also considers important." He explained, "The benches throughout LEGOLAND Korea Resort are made by recycling about 940 milk plastic packs each, and we encourage eco-friendly participation from partners by simplifying packaging and awarding extra points for using recycled paper."

Regarding COVID-19 prevention, he stated, "We will strictly follow government quarantine guidelines, including temperature checks, electronic entry logs, and disinfectants stationed in each section." He added, "We will be able to provide more detailed information just before the opening in May next year."

He also emphasized efforts to coexist with the local community. President Kim said, "With the opening next year, we will work with Gangwon Provincial Government and Chuncheon City Hall to carry out various activities needed by the local community." He added, "We are currently implementing programs that prioritize hiring Gangwon residents and local talents for internships and full-time positions, and this will be applied during the large-scale recruitment next year." Regarding opposition from civic groups, he said, "We have actively cooperated with relevant authorities such as Gangwon Provincial Government on issues requiring discussion during construction and will continue such efforts."

Regarding reports that natural monuments found on the hotel site are causing delays in hotel construction, he clarified, "This issue concerns another hotel site planned on Jungdo Island, unrelated to LEGOLAND Korea Resort," and stated, "This is not true."