Will the June Opening of Changwon SM Town Be Canceled? ... SM Entertainment Says 'Need to Activate Business Inspection Team'

SM Town panorama. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] As the opening of Changwon Cultural Complex Town (SM Town) in Changwon City, Gyeongnam, scheduled for June, becomes difficult, the city council has urged for an early normal opening.

On the 30th, during the 3rd plenary session of the regular meeting, the Changwon City Council adopted a resolution urging the normal opening of SM Town, proposed by 20 council members including Moon Soon-gyu.

The council members approved the resolution as originally proposed without a vote.

In the resolution, the city council emphasized the prompt normal opening, stating, "The normal opening of SM Town has been delayed due to disagreements and interests among the parties involved."

Additionally, the city council demanded, "Changwon City should respond strongly and decisively to any acts of neglect or delay by the parties involved in the SM Town management and operation agreement who fail to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations."

Finally, the city council called on SM Entertainment (SM Enter) to cooperate for the normal opening.

In response, SM Entertainment and its subsidiary SM Town Planner issued a statement immediately after the resolution was passed.

SM Entertainment first raised the necessity of activating a project inspection team.

Both companies stated, "The rights and obligations among the parties related to this project implementation agreement are not clear," and drew a line by saying, "Sacrifices should not be forced only on the SM side."

Previously, the city started the SM Town project in June 2016 during the previous mayor's administration.

The project was carried out by the project implementer purchasing city-owned land in Palyong-dong, Uichang-gu, Changwon City, constructing apartments and officetels, and using the project profits to build an SM Town building with four basement floors and eight above-ground floors, including a hotel, performance hall, and museum, as well as a public parking lot, which would be donated to Changwon City upon completion.

Changwon City initially aimed to open SM Town in June this year, but the gap between Changwon City, the project implementer, and SM Entertainment regarding operations has widened, making the opening difficult.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.