Seoul City permitted the reopening of controversial facilities at Lotte World Tower, five months after they were suspended over a series of safety issues and accidents, officials said Thursday.

The municipality lifted the suspension of a theater and aquarium at the skyscraper in Jamsil, southern Seoul, after confirming that the company’s safety measures were carried out well.

The two facilities have been closed since December last year after a dozen safety problems prompted public concerns.

A water leak was found at the aquarium and cracks were spotted on the concrete floor and on a faulty movie screen. A number of casualties were also reported including a worker who was found dead at the construction site.

<YONHAP PHOTO-2131> '왜 나에게 이런 시련이' (서울=연합뉴스) 박동주 기자 = 7일 오후 서울 송파구 롯데월드몰 내 휴관안내문이 붙어 있는 아쿠아리움 앞에서 한 어린이가 아쉬운 표정을 지으며 발길을 돌리고 있다. 서울시는 5개월 가까이 사용이 중단된 제2롯데월드 수족관과 영화관에 대해 전문가 최종 자문을 마치고 8일 재개장 허가를 발표하는 것으로 가닥을 잡았다. 2015.5.7 pdj6635@yna.co.kr/2015-05-07 15:56:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2015 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> A boy cries in front of a closed Lotte World Tower in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul on Thursday. Yonhap
'왜 나에게 이런 시련이' (서울=연합뉴스) 박동주 기자 = 7일 오후 서울 송파구 롯데월드몰 내 휴관안내문이 붙어 있는 아쿠아리움 앞에서 한 어린이가 아쉬운 표정을 지으며 발길을 돌리고 있다. 서울시는 5개월 가까이 사용이 중단된 제2롯데월드 수족관과 영화관에 대해 전문가 최종 자문을 마치고 8일 재개장 허가를 발표하는 것으로 가닥을 잡았다. 2015.5.7 pdj6635@yna.co.kr/2015-05-07 15:56:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2015 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> A boy cries in front of a closed Lotte World Tower in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul on Thursday. Yonhap

Last month, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security confirmed that all safety countermeasures were properly taken at the facilities.

Business owners at the tower have urged the city government to allow the reopening, citing damage to sales.

The facilities will be reopened to the public on Wednesday, after a three-day pre-opening event ― when entry to the theater and aquarium will be free of charge.

By Lee Hyun-jeong ()


rene@heraldcorp.com