Incheon to open `robot park` in 2013

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- The city of Incheon has unveiled plans to build a
"robot park" that will include attractions for kids along with cutting-edge
educational and research facilities, the government said Thursday.
The multi-billion won complex, slated to open in 2013, will feature an amusement
park for children and about 340 robots who will greet visitors, according to the
Ministry of Knowledge Economy. Incheon's blueprint also includes a new graduate
school focused on robotics.
A total of 784.6 billion won (US$677.0 million) will be poured into building the
park, which will fill a lot of more than 760,000 square meters and is expected to
attract around 2.8 million visitors annually, according to the ministry.
Of the total, the government will spend 20 billion won with the rest coming from
the Incheon city government and private companies.
South Korea considers robotics to be one of its key growth industries, and has
put emphasis on "service robots" that can clean homes and provide entertainment.
The country's robotics industry ranks sixth in the world in terms of
competitiveness and technology, according to the ministry -- roughly 80 percent
of Japan's.
Officials in Incheon, about 40 kilometers west of Seoul, claimed the park could
generate 19,000 jobs yearly and 9.28 trillion won worth of extra production for
South Korea's second largest port city. Construction on the park is set to begin
late this year.
"Government approval of the plan is expected within the year after consultation
with all related ministries," a ministry official said, adding the park will be
the first of its kind.
Japan once operated a small, pilot complex to highlight its robotics industry.
The city of Masan, located about 380km southeast of Seoul, is also expected to
forward a construction plan in the next few months to open its own robot park by
the end of 2013, although this may be delayed.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)