Who Is Undermining Sajik Baseball Stadium Reconstruction?... Suh Ji-young Asserts "Government-Funded Project Must Proceed as Planned"

Strong Criticism of North Port Relocation Plan at Press Conference


"Sajik Baseball Stadium Is the History of Busan Baseball and a Civic Heritage"

The controversy surrounding the reconstruction project of Sajik Baseball Stadium has resurfaced. As the idea of a North Port dome stadium was discussed during the transition process for the new Busan mayor, concerns have arisen over whether the already government-funded Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction project might be jeopardized.

Suh Ji-young, a member of the People Power Party in the National Assembly, recently stated in a press conference, "We must not once again turn the Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction project, for which funding has already been secured, into an endless cycle of empty promises," urging for the project to proceed as planned.

Assemblywoman Suh defined the North Port dome stadium concept proposed by Busan Mayor-elect Jeon Jae-soo during the election as, in effect, "a declaration to eliminate Sajik Baseball Stadium."

Sujiyoung Seo, a member of the People Power Party, holds a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 19th.

She argued, "Sajik Baseball Stadium is a ballpark that has been with the citizens of Busan," and described it as "a space where generations continue, with people now coming with their children just as they once did with their parents."

She continued, "Sajik Baseball Stadium is a place that holds the lives and memories of Busan citizens and Lotte Giants fans over the past 40 years, as well as being the living foundation for residents of Sajik-dong in Dongnae-gu and local small business owners," stressing that, "this cannot merely be seen as the simple construction of a new stadium."

Assemblywoman Suh especially emphasized that the Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction project has already secured both policy and financial foundations. She explained, "The Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction has been delayed for decades, never even breaking ground, amidst repeated dome stadium pledges and controversy every election," but added, "Last year, it passed the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and was selected for a public offering by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, securing 29.9 billion won in national funding."

She also pointed out, "The Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction is now a reality with the budget in place," and added, "since the Busan Metropolitan Government and related agencies have already invested significant administrative resources into the project, reconsideration could cause confusion among citizens and result in administrative waste."

Assemblywoman Suh also referred to the fact that the Democratic Party previously promoted the securing of national funding for Sajik Baseball Stadium's reconstruction as an achievement of then-Assemblyman Jeon Jae-soo. She criticized, "When national funding was secured, it was claimed as Assemblyman Jeon Jae-soo's achievement, but now that he has become Busan mayor, he is talking about eliminating Sajik Baseball Stadium," adding, "This is breaking a promise to the citizens."

Assemblywoman Suh repeatedly highlighted the symbolic value of Sajik Baseball Stadium. She asserted, "Sajik Baseball Stadium is a brand that symbolizes Busan and Busan baseball," and emphasized that it is "a space filled with the memory of the 1984 championship, the history of the 1992 championship, and countless memories of players and fans."

She also argued, "Sajik Baseball Stadium is a heritage and legacy that inherits the history and tradition of Busan baseball and must be passed on to the next generation," and asserted that "reconstructing Sajik Baseball Stadium, which is imbued with history and spirit, is essential to enhance the brand value of Busan as a baseball city."

Assemblywoman Suh stated, "The decision regarding the future of Sajik Baseball Stadium is not something to be determined by just a few members of the transition committee or the mayor-elect," emphasizing that "the opinions of Busan citizens, baseball fans, former and current players, and urban experts must be widely gathered."

She concluded, "Eliminating Sajik Baseball Stadium would erase the history and tradition of Busan baseball and the memories of its citizens," and firmly stated, "The already secured reconstruction budget and project plan must not be undermined."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.