Military officials voice safety concern over S. Korea's tallest skyscraper

By Lim Chang-won Posted : January 4, 2018, 17:50 Updated : January 4, 2018, 17:50

[Aju News DB]


SEOUL, Jan. 04 (Aju News) -- Security-conscious military officials have created an unexpected obstacle to the construction of South Korea's tallest skyscraper that would be used by the Hyundai auto group as its new headquarters.

Construction of the 569-meter-tall Global Business Center in Samsung-dong in southern Seoul was to begin in the first half of this year if Hyundai secured final state approval.

The auto group hoped to complete construction by 2021, but a government screening committee delayed approval after the defense ministry demanded an assessment of air traffic safety and radar interference.

At a regular press briefing on Thursday, an air force official told reporters that Hyundai's supertall skyscraper requires a safety review because it would be built near a military air base at the southern outskirts of Seoul.

The official called for a "comprehensive" safety review, saying air defense artillery batteries and radar sites are located in and near the base, which has been used by strategic U.S. and South Korean military aircraft as well as presidential planes.

Hyundai's skyscraper would be 14 meters (46 feet) higher than the 555-meter-tall Lotte World Tower which opened in April as South Korea's new high-rise landmark. The tower had triggered similar concerns that it could endanger the safety of flights.​
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기