Legoland planned for Korea

Merlin Entertainments has confirmed that it has entered into a partnership agreement with the Gangwon Provincial Government to build a Legoland Park in South Korea, scheduled to open by 2022. Legoland Korea will be situated upon the island of Hajungdo in Chuncheon, located approximately one hour’s journey east of Seoul and within a two-hour drive time of nearly 24 million people. The full- scale theme park resort will also incorporate a fully themed Legoland Hotel upon opening. It will employ 1,600 people and is expected to provide an economic boost to the city of Chuncheon and the surrounding region. 

The total cost of the resort, including the on-site accommodation, is expected to be KRW 290 billion (£205 million or $262 million). Merlin will invest KRW 210 billion (£148 million or $189 million) into the development of the resort, which will be fully owned and operated by Merlin. The remaining funding of KRW 80 billion (£56 million or $72 million) will come from LL Developments, the investment arm of Gangwon Province. Additionally the funding for necessary additional infrastructure adjacent to the resort will be provided by national, regional and local governments. 

It will be Merlin’s tenth Legoland Park, following Legoland New York’s scheduled opening in 2020. Merlin is also in advanced discussions with third parties about a number of sites for Legoland Parks in China and continues to see opportunity for 20 Legoland Parks around the world, over time.