The chairman of Porsche, a manufacturer of ultra-high-end sports cars, is facing significant backlash from local residents after it was revealed late that he attempted to dig a personal tunnel in Salzburg, Austria, to connect with his villa.
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 16th (local time), Wolfgang Porsche, the grandson of Porsche's founder, purchased a villa in Salzburg in 2020 for $9 million (about 1.25 billion won). Salzburg is famous for being the hometown of Mozart and a popular tourist destination in Eastern Europe.
Chairman Porsche planned to dig a tunnel approximately 480 meters long through the Kapuzinerberg mountain to connect to the underground parking lot of the villa. Earlier this year, he created a parking lot capable of accommodating 12 vehicles. He also received approval from the former mayor of Salzburg, belonging to the conservative People's Party. The total expense required to dig the tunnel was estimated to exceed the cost of purchasing the villa, totaling $11 million (about 1.55 billion won).
However, with the election resulting in a change of mayor, Chairman Porsche's plans were put on hold. Some city council members, including those from the progressive Green Party Korea, raised issues with the project. Protests against the plans have also been held in the region.
Currently, there are reports from WSJ that compromises are being considered, including allowing other residents in the area to use the tunnel. The city council is expected to vote on a city planning amendment related to Chairman Porsche's villa underground parking lot next month.