Three Safety Accidents Occurred Three Times Over Four Days Before and After May 5 Opening... 120 Users Affected
The Civic Group Central Headquarters urged the suspension of operations at Chuncheon Legoland and prompt punishment in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th. [Central Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As a series of safety accidents occurred at Chuncheon Legoland, which opened on the 5th, causing growing anxiety among citizens and visitors, a civic group has demanded that Chuncheon Legoland suspend its operations.
The Chuncheon Jungdo Prehistoric Site Preservation Headquarters (hereafter, Jungdo Headquarters) held a rally in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 11th, urging, "Chuncheon Legoland experienced three accidents over four days around its May 5th opening, affecting 120 visitors."
According to the Jungdo Headquarters and Chuncheon City, at around 12:48 PM on the 6th, a roller coaster carrying 40 passengers at Chuncheon Legoland stopped unexpectedly.
Fortunately, all passengers were rescued within 30 minutes. Legoland resumed roller coaster operations about two hours after the rescue operation was completed.
The exact cause of the accident has not been determined. Similar roller coaster stoppage incidents occurred earlier on the 2nd and 5th.
Legoland Korea stated, "In all three cases, a safety inspection indicator appeared on the machine, causing the train operation to stop manually," and added, "We are investigating the reason for the warning alert."
In particular, during the accident on the 5th, 40 passengers had to wait for rescue for over 30 minutes on a roller coaster that stopped about 10 meters high, trembling from strong winds and fear.
It was reported that this accident also occurred due to the operation stopping after a safety inspection indicator appeared.
Broadcaster Hong Young-gi, who was on the roller coaster during the accident, shared a video on Instagram saying, "It stopped due to a safety device issue. We called for help, asking to be saved."
On the 6th, a stoppage accident occurred on a roller coaster inside Legoland theme park, and 40 passengers were rescued. [News broadcast screen capture]
The accident on the 2nd also occurred when the safety inspection indicator appeared, causing the roller coaster to stop, and about 40 passengers were rescued within 15 minutes.
As visitors expressed anxiety over these unexplained stoppage incidents, the civic group directly filed a complaint to the President.
According to Article 33 of the Tourism Promotion Act, local government heads who receive accident reports may order amusement facility operators to submit data or conduct on-site investigations if deemed necessary.
If the local government head judges that there is a significant threat to safety, they may order suspension of use, improvements, or demolition.
Legoland is also involved in a 'Jungdo Prehistoric Site Illegal Damage Compensation Lawsuit.'
The Jungdo Prehistoric Site has been known as a representative prehistoric site of South Korea since Stone Age artifacts were excavated there starting in 1977.
The discovery of 1,266 prehistoric dwelling sites and 149 prehistoric dolmen tombs is regarded as an unprecedented major find in human history.
Nevertheless, the Cultural Heritage Administration approved the Legoland project on the premise of preserving the excavated cultural assets underground.
The problem is that Jungdo, where Legoland is located, is a sedimentary area where the Bukhan River and Soyang River meet, with soft ground and sand layers up to 9 meters deep.
Additionally, Jungdo is located in the middle of Uiam Lake, where strong winds prevail, making it impossible to construct high-rise buildings without pile foundations.
The Gangwon Provincial Council also pointed out, "Gangwon Province and Merlin say they will use 'honeycomb cell foundations,' but experts have stated that Legoland facilities cannot be built with 'honeycomb cell foundations.'
However, Gangwon Province and Merlin are planning to build hotels following the large amusement rides.
The Merlin Group signed a Legoland MDA contract with Gangwon Province and others in December 2018, leasing about 80,000 pyeong of the Jungdo site for 100 years rent-free, with tax exemptions for decades and 80 billion KRW in construction support.
Kim Jong-moon, head of the Jungdo Headquarters, criticized, "Large amusement rides and the Legoland hotel built on soft ground with honeycomb cell foundations cannot guarantee safety," adding, "They are like time bombs damaging the cultural assets buried underground."
Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon said, "There have been many mistakes and no excuses, but I ask for your support."
Meanwhile, 'Legoland' is a four-season stay-type complex resort composed of seven themes (Miniland, Bricktopia, Lego City, Lego Ninjago World, Lego Pirates, Lego Castle, Lego Hotel).
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