KRA cautious on relocating headquarters to Yeongcheon

Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong speaks with The Herald Business at the opening ceremony of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province on Sept. 3. [Korea Racing Authority]
Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong speaks with The Herald Business at the opening ceremony of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province on Sept. 3. [Korea Racing Authority]

Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong attended the opening ceremony of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province on Sunday and said the park's launch after 17 years of effort "carries within it the joys and sorrows of social change over a long period, the great expectations of the local community, and the hard work of many people on the ground."

In an interview with The Herald Business that afternoon, Woo said he was confident the opening "will serve as an opportunity to unlock new possibilities for the region by adding horse racing, cultural and tourism functions on top of that solid foundation."

On the question of relocating the KRA's headquarters to Yeongcheon — a topic that has drawn considerable attention recently — Woo expressed sympathy with local expectations while signaling a cautious stance.

He drew a clear line, saying the relocation falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and is "a matter that must be carefully reviewed and decided in consultation with relevant agencies, taking into comprehensive consideration not only national policy, the agency's functions, relocation costs and operational continuity, but also the living arrangements of our staff."

The following is an edited transcript of the interview with Chairman Woo.

— Let's Run Park Yeongcheon has finally opened after 17 years. What are your thoughts?

I feel a heavy sense of responsibility to repay the support with results. The park opened 17 years after the site was selected in 2009, and I extend my deepest gratitude to the residents of Yeongcheon and the people of North Gyeongsang Province for their patience and trust in the KRA over all that time. This long journey holds within it the joys and sorrows of social change, the great expectations of the local community, and the dedication of many people who worked tirelessly on the ground. Yeongcheon is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage tied to horses, and a region that has consistently built the foundations of the horse industry through equestrian sports and training. This opening will serve as an opportunity to unlock new possibilities for the region by adding horse racing, cultural and tourism functions on top of that solid foundation.

— What would you say are the unique strengths of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon?

Let's Run Park Yeongcheon is the country's fourth horse racing park and the first in Korea to operate a regional circuit racing system. Its greatest strength is that it was designed so visitors can enjoy the excitement of watching races and the experience of relaxing with family all in one place at the same time. The grandstand, racetrack and waterfront park, all designed with hanok — traditional Korean architecture — as a motif, aim to create a welcoming space even for visitors unfamiliar with horse racing. We will develop the park into a horse-culture complex through horse experience programs linked to the region, family events, and programs featuring Yeongcheon's agricultural specialties and local businesses, diversifying the reasons people visit. Going forward, we will focus less on sheer facility size and more on visitor satisfaction, repeat visit rates, and genuine integration with the local commercial district.

— Can you explain the regional circuit racing system, which is being introduced for the first time in Korea?

The KRA officially opened and began operating Let's Run Park Yeongcheon on Sunday. The system reduces duplicated investment in large-scale facilities and operating organizations while making efficient use of resources across the entire region. No efficiency consideration, however, can take precedence over the safety of the horses. We have equipped 13 dedicated transport vehicles — fitted with shock-absorbing suspension, heating and cooling systems, and adjustable partitions — with devices to continuously monitor the horses' condition during transit. We have also established an inspection system in which veterinarians and farriers carefully check the health, hooves and horseshoes of horses upon arrival. During actual operations, we will continuously accumulate data on each individual horse's condition and changes before and after transport, and use that data to address any issues.

— North Gyeongsang Province and Yeongcheon city have been vocal in calling for the KRA headquarters to relocate to Yeongcheon. What is your position?

The relocation of the KRA headquarters to Yeongcheon must be judged through a comprehensive review of national policy, the agency's functions, relocation costs, operational continuity and the living arrangements of our staff, alongside local expectations. Proposals from specific regions and the agency's final decision must each be handled carefully at the appropriate stage. We must respect local expectations while strictly adhering to feasibility and responsible procedures. It is currently a matter for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and sufficient review among relevant agencies and internal staff is needed. I believe the KRA's true responsibility to Yeongcheon begins with operating Let's Run Park safely and substantively, and turning cooperation with the region into concrete results.

— What community contribution plans do you have going forward?

In the Yeongcheon area, as part of our community contribution efforts, we have continued to work with the local community on support projects directly tied to residents' lives — including job creation for senior citizens, livelihood support for vulnerable groups, and meal and care services. It is most important that even small forms of support reach those who truly need them, consistently. Beyond supporting seniors and vulnerable groups, we will work to connect various initiatives — providing educational and cultural opportunities through interaction with horses, creating jobs for local youth, selling Yeongcheon specialty products, and expanding sales channels for small business owners. We will find the roles the KRA can take responsibility for and become a trusted neighbor that stays by the community's side for the long term.

— Finally, is there anything you would like to say to visitors, including Yeongcheon residents and the people of North Gyeongsang Province?

The opening of Let's Run Park Yeongcheon is more than simply the launch of a horse racing facility — it is a starting point for mutual growth, where Yeongcheon city and the KRA work together as a driving force for the local economy and job creation. I hope it becomes an opportunity to bring new vitality to the Yeongcheon economy. I again extend my deepest gratitude to the residents of Yeongcheon and the people of North Gyeongsang Province for waiting 17 years for this opening. We will develop it into a leisure space the whole family enjoys and a hub for mutual growth that makes a real contribution to the local economy. For families, we will make it a weekend outing destination where they can enjoy a stroll, horse experiences, performances and local food at a reasonable cost. For couples, I hope it will be remembered as a unique date destination where they can experience horse culture rarely encountered in everyday life and create lasting memories. Behind every racehorse lies the hard work of countless professionals — farmers who breed and raise horses, trainers, jockeys, horse caretakers who monitor their health every day, veterinarians and farriers. I hope Yeongcheon will be remembered as a meaningful space that brings healthy enjoyment to people while also teaching the values of responsibility toward horses and respect for life.

[Profile of KRA Chairman Woo Hee-jong]

Chairman Woo Hee-jong was born in 1958 and graduated from Seoul High School and Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in pharmaceutical life sciences from the University of Tokyo. He served as a professor at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine for more than 30 years beginning in 1992 and is currently an emeritus professor there. He has served as chairman of the Asian Association of Veterinary Schools, advisory committee chairman of the National Assembly Animal Welfare Forum, and executive vice president for political affairs of the Korean Veterinary Medical Association. He took office as the 39th chairman of the Korea Racing Authority in February.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com