Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun Seeks to Host K-MARS Dome: "A Sports and Cultural Hub for Southern Gyeonggi"

Hwaseong City Holds "K-MARS Arena Vision Conference"
Plans to Submit Proposal for Ministry's Project by the 13th
Professional Baseball, Major Concerts and International Events Under One Roof... Plans to Incorporate AI and 6G
About 150 Experts and Residents Attend... Discuss Revenue Model and Transportation Measures

Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province is seeking to host a multipurpose domed stadium where professional baseball games, large-scale concerts and international events can all be held. In response to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's call for proposals to select a site for its sports and performance complex domed stadium project, the city plans to submit its proposal by November 13.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun (front row, seventh from left) poses for a commemorative photo with attendees at the “K-MARS Arena Vision Conference.” Photo 제공 by Hwaseong City.

Hwaseong City, led by Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, held the "K-MARS Arena (Dome) Vision Conference" with the Hwaseong Research Institute at the Dongtan LH Incubating Center on November 11. About 150 people attended, including Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, Hwaseong Special City Council Chair Lee Gyecheol, Hwaseong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Ahn Sanggyo, experts and residents.

Mayor Jeong said, "The K-MARS Dome is a strategic project for the future that will create a new growth hub where sports, large-scale concerts and international events come together. We will draw on Hwaseong's growth potential and locational advantages to expand cultural and leisure opportunities for residents and establish a sports and cultural hub for southern Gyeonggi that will energize the local economy."

How to use the domed stadium throughout the year was a key topic at the conference. Lee Minsang, acting director of the Hwaseong Research Institute, presented examples of domed stadium operations in Korea and abroad, saying, "Filling a dome is more difficult than building one." He said the city would need to secure content that gives people a reason to visit regularly and establish revenue streams and an operating framework from the planning stage.

Cha Mintae, a professor at Hanyang University, cited growing demand for professional baseball games and instances in which games are canceled because of heat waves or rain to explain the need for a venue unaffected by weather. He proposed seven key initiatives, including centering the venue on baseball and popular music concerts, using it for family programs and corporate events on weekdays, and incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and sixth-generation mobile communications (6G).

Yeom Mingyu, a research fellow at the Hwaseong Research Institute, explained demand from Hwaseong and neighboring cities based on geographic information system (GIS) analysis. A discussion that followed covered transportation and safety measures for large crowds, cooperation between neighboring cities and long-term operating plans.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun delivers remarks to citizens at the K-MARS Arena Vision Conference held on the 11th. Provided by Hwaseong City.

Hwaseong City submitted a letter of intent to Gyeonggi Province on October 26. The city plans to incorporate key opinions raised at the conference into its proposal.

Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun said, "The opinions shared by experts and residents today will be a valuable foundation for refining the plans for building and operating the domed stadium. We will carefully review the project's feasibility and operating plans so that it can become a place enjoyed by residents and people from neighboring cities alike, and one they continue to visit for its diverse content."

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