20 Billion Won of Tax Money on a 'Fake Geobukseon'... Facing Demolition Threat After Controversy

Sold for 1.54 Million Won but Delivery Procedure Not Completed
Winning Bidder Requested Extension, but City Says "Contract Compliance"

The so-called 'Geoje Fake Turtle Ship,' which was produced at a cost of 2 billion won of public funds but was auctioned off for only 1.54 million won, is now facing demolition.

According to Yonhap News on the 19th, the Turtle Ship sold through a public auction last month has not been delivered even after a month has passed.

"Private land use change required, request to extend delivery" vs "Demolition scheduled on the 25th according to contract"

Fake Turtle Ship. [Image source=Yonhap News]

An official from Geoje City, Gyeongnam Province, said, "The bidder for Turtle Ship No. 1 has not yet taken delivery," adding, "If it is not relocated by the 26th of this month according to the contract, demolition procedures will be initiated."

According to the contract, if the Turtle Ship located at the Jiwon Maritime Culture Center plaza in Ilun-myeon is not relocated by June 25, which is within 30 days after full payment, the contract will be canceled.

However, it is reported that the bidder has notified the city to extend the delivery period. It has been confirmed that the full auction payment has been made.

The bidder planned to move the Turtle Ship to private land near 'Hwangjeui Gil' in Ilun-myeon, Geoje, for educational purposes, but since this area is part of Hallyeohaesang National Park, the Turtle Ship cannot be relocated there without a park plan change.

A city official explained, "The bidder intends to relocate the Turtle Ship to their private land, but since that area is within Hallyeohaesang National Park, an application for land use change is required to install the Turtle Ship," adding, "This process will take several months."

He also emphasized, "There are many complaints requesting demolition, and demolition is planned to be attempted after the 26th according to the contract."

There are also safety concerns. The stern (tail) of the Turtle Ship, which was damaged during Typhoon Hinnamnor last year, collapsed. Especially with the possibility of a strong typhoon hitting the Korean Peninsula this year, there are concerns about further damage. Accordingly, the city has stated that if the sale falls through, demolition will be completed before the summer typhoon and disaster season arrives.

Weighing 100 tons, moving cost 100 million won... 'a headache'

A claim was made last March that the appearance of the Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) is not a form where the entire deck is covered with a rounded roof, but rather a structure where planks are erected on the central deck area and a roof is placed, adding an additional layer. Chae Yeon-seok, Chairman of the Aviation and Railroad Accident Investigation Committee (former Director of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute), analyzed the Geobukseon design data "Gweseondo-seol" contained in the "Yi Chungmugong Jeonseo" compiled in 1795 and reached this conclusion. He also revealed that he discovered a memorial record that could serve as evidence that the Geobukseon was actually built using this design in the 19th century. The photo is an imaginative drawing of the 1795 Tongjeyeong Geobukseon.
Photo by EuclidSoft provided·Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Geoje Imjin War Turtle Ship was produced in 2010 as part of the Gyeongnam Province Yi Sun-sin Project. A total of 2 billion won from national and provincial funds was invested to build a three-story structure measuring 25.6 meters in length, 8.67 meters in width, and 6.06 meters in height.

However, controversy arose over the so-called 'fake Turtle Ship' after it was revealed that imported wood was mixed in the construction.

At that time, a company responsible for building the Turtle Ship and Panokseon used over 80% imported wood, contrary to the specifications requiring domestic pine, earning about 1 billion won in profit. The company representative was subsequently arrested.

Additionally, due to neglect in preservative treatment, the wood suffered severe decay and warping.

After various controversies, Geoje City, which took over the Turtle Ship in 2011, reportedly invested about 150 million won from 2015 for maintenance and repairs.

Ultimately, Geoje City attempted to sell it, but weighing over 100 tons and with moving costs estimated at around 100 million won, the auction was canceled seven times, causing considerable embarrassment.

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