One large-scale, one mid-size venue targeted; completion set for 2034

Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul's representative dome stadium. [Newsis]
Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul's representative dome stadium. [Newsis]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday it will accept applications from metropolitan and provincial governments and public institutions nationwide for candidate sites to build multipurpose dome stadiums combining sports and performance venues, with the submission window running through Dec. 8.

The project aims to create multipurpose facilities capable of hosting international sporting events, concerts and other large-scale gatherings year-round. The ministry will select one large-scale and one mid-size dome stadium site.

The large-scale venue must seat at least 40,000 people and accommodate more than 50,000, while the mid-size category covers stadiums with between 20,000 and 40,000 seats.

Metropolitan and provincial governments and public institutions are eligible to apply, with each entity allowed to submit one candidate site per category. Participating institutions must submit a letter of intent by Oct. 28 and a full proposal by Dec. 8.

The ministry will form an external expert evaluation committee to assess the feasibility of proposed usage plans, the suitability of each location and the overall viability of each project. Sites will be announced at the end of December, following document reviews, on-site inspections and presentation evaluations.

Selected sites will undergo preliminary surveys and master planning through the first half of 2027, with a preliminary feasibility study and other follow-up procedures beginning in the second half of the year. The ministry plans to proceed through design and permitting stages with a target completion date of 2034.

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said he hopes the dome stadiums will "serve as stages that showcase the appeal of Korean sports and K-culture to the world," adding that the ministry will "create hubs that enrich the public's enjoyment of sports and culture while energizing regional tourism and local economies."


yjc@heraldcorp.com