Seoul World Cup Stadium, the venue for the Jamboree Closing Ceremony and K-Pop Performances, has sparked concerns among K-League fans regarding hasty administration and damage to the stadium’s grass. However, in a bid to address these concerns, the government has pledged to cover the costs of restoration.
The 2023 World Scout Jamboree, which concluded with a memorable K-pop performance at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, faced criticism from K-League fans over the apparent damage caused to the grass on the field. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 13th that they had allocated a budget for the stadium’s restoration, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the process. The decision was prompted by public outcry about the state of the grass following the Jamboree’s closing ceremony and the ‘K-Pop Super Live Concert’ held on the 11th.
The Seoul Facilities Corporation will conduct a thorough inspection of the stadium grounds as soon as the dismantling of concert-related facilities, including the stage, is complete. They will then embark on emergency restoration measures, such as replenishing the dedicated lawn, with the aim of restoring the stadium to its original condition as quickly as possible.
Initially, the K-pop Jamboree concert was scheduled to take place at the outdoor stage in Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk on the 6th. However, due to safety concerns, including the heatwave, the venue was changed to the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonbuk-do on the 11th. As a result, the FA Cup semi-final match between Jeonbuk and Incheon had to be postponed.
Furthermore, concerns about potential damage led to the decision to evacuate participants from the Saemangeum campsite on the 7th as Typhoon ‘Kanun’ approached. All attendees were relocated to Seoul and other metropolitan areas, and the performance venue was hastily shifted to the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The issue at hand revolves around the use of ‘hybrid grass’ installed in the stadium. In 2021, the Seoul Facilities Management Corporation introduced a new hybrid turf consisting of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial turf. This development involved an investment of 10 billion won.
Apprehensions arose about the potential harm inflicted on the grass as a result of setting up the stage. To mitigate damage, large-scale concerts that generate revenue were not held, and when events did take place, the stage was positioned in seat E, with various seats, garnering criticism for its inconsistency.
Among certain K-League fans, dissatisfaction has grown, with some questioning the decision to install an expensive lawn only to damage it with a K-pop concert. On the 11th, during the K-pop performance, a lone protester held a sign stating, “Why is the hasty administration of the Jamboree affecting the K-League?”
Opinions vary regarding the government’s recovery efforts, with some criticizing the use of taxpayers’ money for an issue that could have been avoided, contrasting with others who appreciate the expeditious action taken to restore the grass to its former glory.
In conclusion, while criticisms persist, highlighting the financial implications and potential negligence, there are those who argue that the Jamboree’s worldwide significance necessitated such measures, asserting that one cannot cling to past events forever.
By Seongwook Kim
abc123@asiae.co.kr
Seoul World Cup Stadium, where the Jamboree Closing Ceremony and K-Pop Performances were held
Concerns about hasty administration and lawn damage are growing… “Recovery Costs Help”
The Saemangeum 2023 World Scout Jamboree ended on the 11th with a K-pop performance at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. However, when K-League fans’ concerns about the ‘grass damage’ in the stadium did not subside, the government stepped up to support the cost of restoration.
On the 13th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, “From the concert planning stage, we have prepared a budget to restore the stadium to its original condition, and we will do our best to support the restoration.” This measure was introduced when public opinion was raised about the damage to the grass during the closing ceremony of the Jamboree and the ‘K-Pop Super Live Concert’ held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 11th.
“As soon as the demolition of concert-related facilities such as the stage is completed, the Seoul Facilities Corporation will carefully inspect the ground situation and begin emergency restoration, such as adding to the dedicated lawn, ” he said. to restore the stadium to its original condition as soon as possible.”
The K-pop Jamboree concert was originally scheduled to be held at the outdoor stage in Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk on the 6th, but was changed to be held at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonbuk-do on the 11th for safety reasons such as heat waves. Because of this, the FA Cup semi-final match between Jeonbuk and Incheon was postponed.
Scouts enjoy a performance at the Super Live K-Pop Concert held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 11th. Photo = Photo Co-operation Organisation
However, it was decided to withdraw from the Saemangeum campsite on the 7th due to concerns about damage as Typhoon ‘Kanun’ moved north. All the participants who were staying at Saemangeum left Saemangeum and moved to Seoul and other metropolitan areas, and the performance venue was suddenly changed to the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The problem was the ‘hybrid grass’ installed at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. In 2021, the Seoul Facilities Management Corporation installed a new hybrid turf, a mixture of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial turf, on the stadium grounds. A budget of 10 billion won has been invested in this process.
There were concerns that damage to the lawn was inevitable due to the installation of the stage. Meanwhile, in order to prevent damage to the lawn, large-scale concerts, which are a source of income, were not held, and when the event was held, the stage was set up in seat E with various seats, and he criticizes it more about its contrast.
On the 11th, the closing ceremony of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo = Photo Co-operation Organisation
Among some K-League fans, criticism came out saying, “Do you install a billion dollar lawn and damage it with a K-pop concert?” On the 11th, when the K-pop performance was held, a K-League fan held a one-man protest holding a sign saying, “Why is the hasty administration of the Jamboree affecting the K-League?”
Opinion is also divided on the government’s recovery measures. Criticisms came out, such as “It was money I didn’t have to spend, but in the end I paid for it with taxes” and “The grass grows fast on its own because it is supported quickly.”
On the other hand, there were rebuttals such as “It was inevitable for the Jamboree, which attracted the attention of the world, to reap a kind of beauty” and “You cannot live with JANDI forever.”
Reporter Seongwook Kim abc123@asiae.co.kr
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