South Korea will launch architecture competition for National Aviation Museum
South Korea’s government is planning to fast track the development of a W93.4bn (US$78.9m, €70.8m, £51.8m) national aviation museum, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport
A competition will be held in October this year to choose the architect and the museum will open some time in 2018.
The transport museum will be built on the site of the Gimpo International Airport, just outside Seoul, and will celebrate South Korea’s aviation history, with the aim promoting the country’s aviation history and driving young people into related careers.
The museum will cover 10,000sq m (107,600sq ft) and will include an aviation pavilion and cultural centre, an exhibition hall displaying vintage aircraft and a viewing platform overlooking one of Gimpo Airport's runways.
Small-scale exhibitions had previously been held by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, chronicling 100 years of of aviation history in Korea, but there has never previously been a permanent facility to display and promote the country’s history and artefacts.
“The National Aviation Museum will present the history and future of Korea’s domestic aviation industry,” said a statement from Gimpo Airport’s Homeland department. “This development will bring the dreams of the aviation industry to the youth and hopefully inspire them to pursue careers in the field.”