South Korea to build twin towers resembling WTC

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A Dutch architectural company has designed two skyscrapers that would be built in South Korean capital that resemble the World Trade Centre exploding during the 9/11 attacks.

The twin towers, that will be built at the entrance to the Yongsan business district by 2016, are set to be connected half-way up by a 'cloud-shaped' section with facilities including lounges, a swimming pool and restaurants.

But families of the 2001 terror attack victims said the towers resembles the clouds of debris that billowed from the World Trade Centre twin towers after hijacked planes crashed into them, Sky News reported.

Dutch architectural company MVRDV said it was not its intention to create an image that evoked the atrocity in New York.

It said it 'sincerely' apologised to anyone whose feelings it has hurt and 'regrets deeply' any painful connotations.

Jim Riches, a retired deputy fire chief whose son was killed in the 9/11 attacks, said he did not believe the architects.

"It looks just like the towers imploding. I think they're trying to sensationalise it. It's a cheap way to get publicity," the New York Daily News quoted him as saying.

Though it is not known whether MVRDV will actually change the design, a South Korean developer said it would not be altered.

"Allegations that it (the design) was inspired by the 9/11 attacks are groundless," said White Paik, a spokesman for the Yongsan Development Corporation.

"There will be no revision or change in our project," he said adding that construction would begin in January 2013 as scheduled.