Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o on the 16th announced a pledge to build a "15-minute sports living zone." The core is to create facilities where anyone can exercise within 15 minutes from residential areas.
On the day, Chong's campaign unveiled the "Sports Seoul pledge" that includes these details. It will be pursued on three pillars: building everyday sports infrastructure, realizing everyday sports welfare that everyone shares, and fostering a global sports city.
The infrastructure plan includes turning the Nanji and Jungnang water recycling centers into large-scale civic sports spaces with baseball fields, soccer fields, and park golf courses. It also expands the opening of sports facilities at public institutions and parks, and increases bike paths and outdoor exercise facilities along the Han River and its tributary riverbanks. It also includes measures to vitalize sports leagues involving everyday sports clubs.
A customized "citizen sports welfare" system by age and social group will also be introduced. Sports-specialized programs for seniors and senior everyday sports competitions will be expanded. It also plans to create a sports environment for underserved groups such as young children and women. The plan includes expanding tailored sports voucher support for people with disabilities, increasing placement of everyday sports instructors in major parks and public facilities, activating "sports welfare and clubs" that utilize retired athletes, and providing sports scholarships and professional lessons for children from low-income and multicultural families.
In addition, it will host urban-style sports events and pursue initiatives such as the Seoul wellness (health culture) points and an integrated platform for Seoul sports program and public sports facility information and reservation systems.
Chong said, "Whether there is a place to exercise near home, whether anyone can enjoy everyday sports without burden, and whether there is a community to run and walk together determines a healthy quality of life," adding, "We will make Seoul a city alive with health and vitality, relationships and community."