Lotte Group celebrates completion of 100th floor

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, far left, writes a message wishing for safe construction of the Lotte World Tower on Tuesday at an event celebrating completion of the 100th floor. [NEWSIS]

Lotte Group held a ceremony marking completion of the 100th floor of Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, southern Seoul, making it the tallest building in Korea.

When completed in 2016, the skyscraper will be the world’s sixth-tallest building at 555 meters (1,821 feet) and have 123 floors. It will house, among other things, a hotel and business offices.

Lotte World Mall, the lower part of the massive complex, has been open since October after receiving preliminary approval from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin attended the event along with lawmakers and high-ranking executives from Lotte Group.

The event also was designed to convey wishes for safe construction of the tower, which has been the target of criticism for a series of safety lapses that caused a variety of problems, including suspended operations at the building’s aquarium.

“The top priority will be safety as Lotte is going to build the remaining 23 floors,” Shin said at the event.

Lotte Corporation CEO Noh Byung-yong echoed the remark.

“As Lotte World Mall hit the 100th floor, we will have a sense of pride and responsibility to build a landmark free from danger,” he said. “We continue our efforts to keep construction safe through regular monitoring and safety inspections.”

Roh currently serves as a member of a safety committee that Lotte launched earlier this year dedicated to managing the huge cultural and shopping complex.

Lotte executives participated in a regular safety inspection recently to check the condition of pipes and walls.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]