Filming site of 'Descendants of the Sun' to be turned into park

PAJU, South Korea, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The filming site of the sensational TV series "Descendants of the Sun" in Camp Greaves, the former U.S. military camp near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, north of Seoul, will turn into a foothold of the region's tourism industry, provincial officials said Sunday.

The camp, which is currently used as a youth hostel, will be transformed into a cultural historical park by 2018, according to the officials.

As the only residential facility for civilians within the civilian control line, the state-run hostel attracted 11,099 people last year, more than doubling the number in 2014, which stood at 5,571.

The new park will be comprised of different zones focusing on natural scenery, culture and arts, as well as military experience, where tourists can experience military food and camping, the officials said.

The provincial government, Paju city government and local tourism organization will together inject 35.5 billion won (US$31 million) into the park project, according to the officials. The construction will begin later this month.

The provincial government will also turn the area into a must-see place for drama fans by creating photo zones near where it was filmed.

"When the construction is completed, Camp Greaves will definitely become the best tourism site in the northern Gyeonggi Province," an official said.

Premiering simultaneously in South Korea and China on Feb. 24, "Descendants" has become the first Korean drama shown on weeknights to surpass 30 percent in nationwide viewership in four years.
(END)