On January 22, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo visited Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, where he met with Universal Parks and Resorts (UPR) Chairman & CEO Thomas Williams to discuss the feasibility of opening a theme park in Korea. The two agreed to work together closely to open Universal Studios Korea by 2012.

Gyeonggi Province representatives said that the province gained a great deal from the visit, and that it was a significant opportunity to learn about the management of theme park resorts. The province will ensure that related transportation infrastructure is completed in time for the opening of the theme park in Korea in the spring of 2012.

On the day of his visit, Governor Kim said, “We have established a Universal Studios Korea task force team in Gyeonggi Province, and have made proposals to the incoming [Korean central government] administration seeking its active support and cooperation.” He added, “Chairman Williams also has high hopes regarding the new government and our province, and has asked for active support in this project. He has also requested that the government consider the expansion of direct investment.”

For his part, Chairman Williams said, “I expect that, during his visit, Governor Kim was able to see the management expertise and advanced technology utilized by our theme park. I am sure that the Universal Studios Korea resort will be a cornerstone in the growth of Korea¢®£¿s leisure and tourism industry.”

Governor Kim said, “The visit gave us the opportunity to learn a great deal about the management systems of Orlando Universal Studios, the capital of theme parks.” He went on to say that “It was particularly important for our government officials to tour the studio, as the Orlando resort – including the hotels, spa, golf courses, restaurants and entertainment facilities – is the business model for Korea’s proposed theme park.”

A Gyeonggi provincial official said, “In order to induce foreign capital investment, we have made several proposals to President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition team. These include the designation of Universal Studios Korea as a national support business, early approval of the administrative procedures of the development plan, the shortening of the construction time for the rail and road links to the theme park, and national expense support for basic facilities.” He also expressed his expectations for the new administration saying, “Since President-elect Lee has served as the Mayor of Seoul, he has a deep understanding of municipal governments and is aware that excessive regulation only hinders the growth of the Korean economy.”

Gyeonggi Province, as a follow-up measure for the theme park business, held an additional meeting in late December with the heads of relevant government offices, the deputy major of Hwaseong City, and relevant officials from the Korea Water Resources Corporation; the representatives agreed to establish a total of nine construction support task force teams, including the core team responsible for the project, infrastructure team, and central government team. Each team will be headed by senior provincial government officials.