Busan's bid to enter government competition for multipurpose dome stadium welcomed
Total project cost expected to exceed 3 trillion won; private capital seen as key
Sajik Baseball Stadium and North Port dome can coexist, lawmaker says
Rep. Kwak Gyu-taek of the People Power Party, whose constituency covers Busan's North Port area in Seo-gu and Dong-gu, joined Dong-gu District Mayor Kang Cheol-ho and several city and district council members Friday morning at the Busan City Council briefing room to urge thorough preparation and a viable project plan as Busan moves to enter the government's competition for a multipurpose dome stadium.
"North Port has outstanding transport access — with Busan Station and the international passenger terminal nearby — along with world-class port and maritime scenery, and the recent 'Buckangi' craze has shown its value as a tourist destination and its strong growth potential," Kwak said. "Combined with Busan residents' passionate love of baseball and demand for sports, performances and tourism, it could become the ideal site for the best multipurpose dome stadium in the country."
Kwak envisions North Port as a new landmark for Busan — one that draws international sporting events, K-pop concerts and global gatherings, and links up with tourism, accommodation and commercial facilities to drive the local economy and contribute to balanced national development.
"However, given that the total project cost is expected to exceed 3 trillion won ($2.25 billion), making this a mega-project, it must be backed by a concrete financing plan — not just securing national funds through the government competition, but also attracting private capital," Kwak said. "Since building within the North Port redevelopment zone will involve land costs running into the hundreds of billions of won and site-acquisition challenges, the city must work closely with the Busan Port Authority to clearly define in advance the development entity, project structure and the roles of relevant agencies."
Kwak also said the competition bid must not stop at fulfilling a campaign pledge or announcing yet another development plan, noting that North Port had already disappointed residents through delays in developing key sites despite numerous proposals over the years.
"What Busan residents need is not another rosy blueprint, but a dome stadium that will actually get built," Kwak said. "Busan City must prepare thoroughly this time so as not to leave people with false hope again, and prove North Port's future through action, not words." On the relationship with Sajik Baseball Stadium, Kwak said the two venues can coexist. "I will show in reality that the concerns of residents near Sajik Stadium are nothing more than needless worry," Kwak added.
kaf2002@heraldcorp.com
