Jang Seob Yoon
Research expert covering South Korea
Amusement and theme parks in South Korea - statistics and facts
The first theme park in South Korea was founded in 1909 under Japanese colonization within the royal palace of Changgyeonggung. Although that site has now been largely restored to its original state due to its heritage, its successor, Seoul Land, has become a prominent theme park of its own. Several other theme parks have opened nationwide since then. The most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide feature contemporary theme parks in South Korea, such as Everland and Lotte World. Recently, the LEGO-themed amusement park, Legoland Korea Resort, opened in the province of Gangwon.
What kind of theme parks are there in South Korea?
The most popular tourist attraction in South Korea is the Everland theme park. Operated by Samsung C&T, Everland started as a nature park with a zoo and safari. The park boasts various attractions according to different themes, including a continued offering of zoo and animal-related facilities. Following Everland in terms of prevalence is Lotte World Adventure. Located in the heart of the capital city, Seoul, the theme park consists of a main indoor area and an outdoor island situated in Seokchon Lake.Water parks in South Korea
The hot and humid summers experienced in South Korea mean that consumers are likely to look for activities to cool down. Water parks provide an excellent setting for enjoying the sun without worrying about overheating and are popular among the general public. Prominent domestic water parks such as Caribbean Bay and Ocean World are located next to other resorts or theme parks operated by the same company. Other places are equipped with swimming pools or spas to appeal to a broader audience and maximize attendance. Such grouping has proven to be an effective strategy, with most consumers preferring facilities that offer diverse attractions.
