127m·5000pyeong Life-Size 'Noah's Ark' Comes to Korea

Dutch Architect Johan Huibers Expresses Intention to Donate
Shows Interest in Installing in Parts of Incheon and Gyeonggi... Under Discussion

A 'Noah's Ark' structure created by a Dutch architect is expected to be installed in Korea.

"Expressing a wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula" Donation intention revealed... Incheon and some Gyeonggi-do areas respond

Noah's Ark created in 2012 by Dutch architect Johan Huibers.
[Photo provided by the Korea Noah's Ark Promotion Committee]

According to officials from the 'Korea Noah's Ark Hosting Committee' (the Committee), composed of Christian figures, Johan Huibers, a Dutch architect who created a replica of Noah's Ark in 2012, has expressed his intention to donate the structure to Korea, and discussions are underway to realize this.

Huibers has frequently visited Korea and shown great interest in the division between North and South Korea, including visits to the Aegibong Peace Ecological Park, and has expressed his wish to donate the ark to Korea as a symbol of peace.

It is reported that local governments in Incheon and Gyeonggi-do have shown interest in receiving and installing Noah's Ark, and the final installation site will be decided through consultations among the relevant authorities, Huibers, and the Committee.

Approximately 5,000 pyeong total floor area... Transportation, repair, and installation costs alone 7 billion KRW

On the 15th, Johan Huibers (center), who built Noah's Ark, attended a service at Holyseeds Church located in Bangbae-dong, Seoul. He is taking a commemorative photo with church officials and Chairman Park Du-ho. [Photo by Holyseeds Church]

The Noah's Ark made of wood by Huibers measures approximately 125 meters in length, 29 meters in width, and 23 meters in height, with a total floor area of about 16,529 square meters (approximately 5,000 pyeong) and weighs about 3,000 tons. It consists of seven floors, including underground space. It took seven years to build and cost about 4.2 million USD (approximately 5.7 billion KRW).

Following biblical records, the ark replicates Noah's loading of various male and female animals in preparation for the great flood, and animal models are displayed inside.

The ark is currently located in the Netherlands.

When transported to Korea, it will be shipped on a barge, taking about two and a half months. Including transportation, repair, and installation costs, it is estimated to cost between 5 billion and 7 billion KRW.

If the plan proceeds as scheduled, it is expected to arrive in Korea around the first half of next year.

According to the Committee, Park Du-ho, chairman of Noah Space and a Christian, has expressed his intention to personally fund the costs required for transportation, repair, and installation.

The Committee plans to hold a briefing session on the 19th to provide detailed explanations about the plan to install Noah's Ark in Korea. Huibers will attend and share about the production process and the reasons behind his decision to donate it to Korea.

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