The metropolitan government of Seoul gave a conditional green light for Lotte Group Thursday to open lower floors of its new skyscraper being built in a posh southeastern district, ending months of controversy over its safety and other concerns.
The retail giant had originally sought to open to the public the completed lower floors of the 123-story high-rise in Jamsil by April. But the city government nixed the plan, citing safety concerns as well as traffic congestion in the crowded residential area in southern Seoul.