[2][3] This building was planned to be completed on a site of about 100,000 pyeong (approximately 330,000 square meters) in the 'Peace Park' on Nanjido, Sangam-dong, in time for the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup.

[citation needed] The Millennium Gate was introduced in the domestic media as a landmark to represent Seoul, akin to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York.

[5] On December 4, 2000, MBC News showed computer-simulated images of the 'Millennium Gate,' or 'Seoul's Ring,' planned to be built near the main Olympic Stadium in Sangam-dong along the Han River.

It was evaluated for its scale and significance, surpassing major city structures around the world, as a central facility in the Peace Park, reaching over two billion viewers and visitors worldwide.

The building was regarded as having the scale to transcend the extensive surrounding environment, including the Han River, the main World Cup stadium, Nanjido, Seongsan Bridge, and numerous apartment complexes.

In response, Woo Dae-sung, representative of O'pus Architects, filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the payment of the implementation design fee, continuing to pursue the case.

[1][11][13] Subsequently, centered around Shin Hyun-woong, chairman of the Woongjin Foundation, Professor Lee Eunseok, representative Woo Dae-sung, and several cultural figures formed 'Cheonsamo,' a group supporting the construction of the Millennium Gate.

He explained that he came up with the idea as he didn't want to make an ordinary Ferris wheel and that he only set the basic concept of Seoul Ring after consulting with the Millennium Gate design team.

[37] During this briefing and in a press release, the city announced plans to build 'Seoul Ring Zero' in Sky Park located in Mapo District, Sangam-dong, with construction starting in 2025.

[37] The final decision was made after considering cultural symbolism, scenery, and balanced development in Seoul, narrowing down the choices to Nodeulseom Island and Sky Park.

[42][43] On March 17, 2023, in an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo, Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was in London, said he wanted to hear directly from Ferris wheel design companies there and was told that there was no problem with the structure of Seoul Ring.

He noted that while Seoul Ring might seem simple from an administrator's perspective, it is a high-tech architectural project that is difficult to construct without the active participation of the original architect who has experience with both failures and successes, especially after resolving copyright issues.

The complete circular design, even more than twenty years after its initial selection, continues to possess vast potential as a landmark epitomizing South Korea along the Han River.

[40] Yet, consulting with international Ferris wheel design firms and large construction companies before making a concrete announcement and suggesting changes if problems arise, showed irresponsibility.

[48] He also questioned the rationale of proceeding with a BTO model that ties design, construction, and operation into a profit-oriented private investment, doubting whether it allows for more rational and creative proposals.

He argued that the visual materials provided by Seoul City require high technical expertise, yet the absence of any mention of the project's designer or architect is questionable.

Architect Ryu also mentioned the names of the Millennium Gate competition jurors (Jang Seok-woong, Ji Soon, Kim Jin-kyun, Kang Seok-won, Ko Joo-seok, etc.

He concluded by expressing his hope that "Seoul Ring will be completed as a globally beautiful circular structure with the participation of the original designer, Professor Eunseok Lee.

[24] On April 19, 2023, Kim Dae-seok, the editor-in-chief at Sangsang Publishing, raised several concerns in an interview with The Korea Herald regarding the announcement of the Seoul Ring project.

Architect Park highlighted issues with Seoul City's announcement that Mayor Oh Se-hoon personally handled the design and completed the technical review during the bidding process.

[59] He revealed that Professor Lee had a bold plan to convey even greater emotion through a structure called 'Seoul's Ring (The Millennium Gate),' over 300 times larger than a spinning top.

[59] On March 27, 2023, Kim In-soo, an editorial writer for Maeil Business Newspaper, evaluated that if the core element of 'Seoul Ring' announced by Seoul City lies in the circle itself, it's difficult to see it as a new creation.

[60] He mentioned that the 'Millennium Gate,' which won the national symbol contest in 2000 over Professor Nam June Paik, received unanimous approval from the jury due to its originality in designing a super-large perfect circular structure for the first time, attributed to the power of the circle.

On April 2, 2023, former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Shin Hyun-woong criticized Seoul City in an interview with Chosun Ilbo for apparently plagiarizing the name, concept, and form of the 'Millennium Gate' without citing the source.

On September 19, 2023, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that the 4th Private Investment Project Review Committee, chaired by Second Vice Minister Kim Wan-seop, was held at the Government Complex Seoul.

[62] The committee deliberated and decided on seven items, including the feasibility review proposal for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's giant Ferris wheel private investment project.

[63] Due to the lack of related engineering technology in South Korea, it is expected that foreign companies with technical expertise and operational know-how will have an advantage in being selected as project partners.

The consortium, comprising Seoul Housing and Urban Corporation (SH) and The Ritz along with three other companies, holds the status of the original proposer under the Private Investment Law.

[55] When Seoul City revealed 'Seoul Ring Zero,' it led to speculation that Heerim Architects & Planners, being an undisclosed domestic architectural firm, might have been responsible for the perspective drawing.

[31][32] Given these overlapping details, there is a growing concern that Seoul City and Heerim Architects & Planners might be engaging in a collaborative effort to replicate the Millennium Gate for this new project.