- Grand groundbreaking ceremony of Paju Premium Outlets held (Outlet scheduled to launch operations in December 2010) -

The groundbreaking ceremony for Paju Premium Outlets was held at Theme Park, Unification Hill, Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, at 1:30 PM on November 27th, 2009. The outlets are expected to stimulate economic activity in the Paju area. Despite cold weather, many local residents attended the ceremony, and large heaters, hot tea and souvenirs were offered to participants.



A Global Shopping Spot like Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York, US
It is not easy to travel from Korea to New York City. But now, Koreans can enjoy the same shopping experience as we would find at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets of Chelsea Group, the largest outlet store in the US, in our hometown.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is located one and a half hours from Manhattan, New York City, and was established in 1988 as the first premium outlet store in the US. With 225 stores, it is the largest premium outlet store in the US, and is visited daily by tens of thousands of domestic and foreign shoppers. The outlets are also popular tourist destination, with so many stores that it is impossible to see them all in one day, and many special offers. Thanks to the global popularity of the outlets, shopping at Woodbury’s is even included in many US tour packages.

Shinsegae Chelsea Attracts Paju Premium Outlets
Shinsegae Chelsea is a foreign-invested corporation established by Chelsea Property Group, the world’s largest outlet development and operation firm, and Shinsegae, Korea’s representative retailer. Both companies have contributed equal amounts of capital, and their first premium outlets, which they established in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, in June 2007, have gained a reputation as a shopper’s paradise, being visited by over 4 million shoppers every year. Paju Premium Outlets will be built on the site for a theme park of 86,172㎡ in Unification Hill, Paju (1790 Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon). The operating area will be about 33,000㎡, and the total area will be about 69,500㎡. Between 160 and 170 domestic and foreign premium brands will open stores at the outlets.

Since signing an LOI with Chelsea in New York in November 2007, Shinsegae selected Paju from among 12 candidate cities following a rigorous review in March 2009. Representatives of Shinsegae and Chelsea exchanged MOUs worth approximately USD 80 million in New York in September 2009. The groundbreaking ceremony for the outlets was held on November 27th, 2009, and the outlets are scheduled to launch operation in December 2010.

The new outlets are expected to create over 3,000 jobs, and will attract more than 4 million tourists every year. Foreign tourists including Japanese visitors will be drawn to the area through packages combining shopping with visits to adjacent tourism resources, such as Imjingak and the DMZ Peace Eco Tour Belt. The commercial complex will be expanded to Northern Seoul areas, Gimpo, Incheon and Euijeongbu, and the area will develop into a must-visit tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors by being combined with Heyri Art Village and Paju English Village.

Shinsegae Chelsea expects that the outlets will create jobs and stimulate the local economy. The company announced a plan to hire residents of Paju by hosting a job fair jointly with the City of Paju. The company also announced its intention to provide free retail spaces for local farmers, in order to pursue the mutual prosperity of the business and the local community.

Groundbreaking Ceremony and Congratulatory Performance for Paju Premium Outlets



Prior to the Groundbreaking Ceremony, there was a pre-ceremony percussion performance and a performance by the Paju City Choir, emceed by Announcer Kim Hyeon-Wook, and the official ceremony began at 2:00 PM. Many guests and local residents, including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-Soo, Paju Mayor Ryoo Hwa-Sun, Shinsegae Vice Chairman Gu Hak-Seo and Shinsegae Chelsea CEO Choi Wu-Yeol attended the ceremony.

The narrator briefly introduced the process that had led up to the groundbreaking ceremony with videos, which visitors watched with excitement. CEO Choi of Shinsegae Chelsea said, “Paju Premium Outlets will build a huge commercial zone connecting Gangnam in Seoul and the Northern Gyeonggi area, which will significantly stimulate Paju’s local economy.”



Mayor Ryoo of Paju said, “I congratulate Shinsegae Chelsea on securing the ideal location to attract potential shoppers from the Seoul Metropolitan area and foreign tourists. As the outlets are located at a distance of 3 km from North Korea, they symbolize peace, and will promote a healthy corporate image. Welcome to the city of Paju, where we have clean administration and warm-hearted citizens.”

Gyeonggi Governor Kim said, “Paju was selected from among 12 candidate locations for having the best conditions and the ideal environment. All businesses operating in Paju, including universities and LG Display, have achieved excellent results. I wholeheartedly welcome Paju Premium Outlets, which will rival the world’s largest outlet, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Paju. I will provide every support so that the outlets can become a famous shopping destination in Paju.”

Following the opening remarks and congratulatory remarks, the guests pressed the blasting buttons, and shook hands with Paju residents.



Bellatrix, idol groups such as 4minute, SHU-I and Jewelry, and singers like In Sun-I and Park Hyeon-Bin gave passionate performances. Singer In Sun-I created a cheerful atmosphere, saying “I will be an enthusiastic shopper for Paju Premium Outlets. I love shopping.”



Paju Residents Welcome a New Landmark
Residents of Unification Hill, Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, attended the ceremony despite the cold weather. Lee Jin-Seon and Lee Jin-Hee, who are housewives in their 30s said, “I have lived in Paju since I got married. The inconveniences have gradually gotten smaller, and I am thrilled to see the premium outlets opening.”

Lim Yeong-Im from Beopheung-ri (50) said, “I cannot wait to see these outlets open. It is unbelievable that I will be able to shop for premium brands in my hometown.” Kim Yeong-Seon (30), an employee of a semiconductor business in Geumchon, said “My family and I have high expectations for the premium outlets in Paju.”



Woodbury Common Premium Outlets have long been packed with Asian shoppers, particularly Korean shoppers, who have an exceptional zeal for premium products. Now, the second branch of the must-visit premium outlets is being established in Paju, Korea. Some express concerns that this will lead to excessive spending by local consumers, but it is expected that the majority of shoppers will be from the Seoul Metropolitan areas, or foreign tourists. The construction of the outlets confirms Paju’s status as a global city.

○ Reporter Park Hyeon-Sook, Citizen Reporter for Paju News