For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com<br />Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision<br />Add us on Facebook ☛ http://facebook.com/NTDTelevision<br /><br />A 'floating island' in the the city of Namsan's Han River was opened on Saturday. The "island" houses three inter-connected cultural centres and is the latest effort by the city administrators to turn Namsan into a top business and tourist destination.<br /><br />The world's largest artificial floating island, housing three inter-connected cultural centers on Seoul's Han River, was unveiled to the public on Saturday. It's the latest addition to the city's multi-billion dollar makeover.<br /><br />Thousands of people turned out for the partial opening of the five acre development, which was privately funded at a cost of about $88 million.<br /><br />It is scheduled for completion in September.<br /><br />Seoul's mayor was re-elected after his campaign to turn the city into northeast Asia's leading business hub and a top tourist destination.<br /><br />[Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul]:<br />"The Han River and Namsan are symbols of Seoul."<br /><br />About 59 million people visited the river last year.<br /><br />[Liu Kyoung-gee, Assistant Mayor, Han River Project]:<br />"People will visit this 'floating island' for sure when they come to visit the Han River. They can enjoy the river's beautiful scenery here, and this island provides a place to hold various meetings and great performances."<br /><br />The island can accommodate 6,200 people.<br /><br />The biggest of the three islets is three stories high and includes a 700-seat convention hall.<br /><br />The other two islets will be used for cultural and aquatic events, including yachting.<br /><br />Many Seoul citizens welcome the new sight.<br /><br />[Ahn Hyo-jin, Student]:<br />"I'm glad that now ithere is a place where I can have some tea and talk with my friends near the river after school."<br /><br />[Lee Eun-jung, Visitor]:<br />"I came here and saw the observatory. It was so beautiful. I felt like I was in Europe. I want to show this to my parents, who are living in the countryside."
