Candidates for metropolitan and basic local government heads running in the June 3 local elections are rolling out pledges to build "domed stadiums." If these pledges are carried out as is, more than 10 domed stadiums could be built nationwide in addition to Gocheok Dome, currently the only domed stadium in the country. But critics say the plans are unrealistic, given fiscal issues that would require spending in the "trillion-won" range.
◇ Domed stadium pledges across the country… up to 50,000 seats
On the 1st, a review of the National Election Commission and the pledges of metropolitan and basic local government head candidates showed that plans were announced to build domed stadiums or large arenas in more than 10 regions nationwide.
Busan is the representative case. All three mayoral candidates from the rival parties announced plans to establish a domed stadium. Chun Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor, said in a TV debate last month, "With climate crisis frequently canceling baseball games and performances," he would "build a retractable domed stadium with 30,000 seats in North Port." Jeong I-han of the Reform Party plans to reconsider Sajik Baseball Stadium as a 30,000-seat retractable domed stadium. Park Heong-joon of the People Power Party, who had initially been skeptical about building a domed stadium, also said he could consider establishing one in the long term.
The Chungcheong region is also proactive. Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for South Chungcheong governor, proposed "construction of a Cheonan-Asan domed arena" as his No. 1 pledge. Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, also plans to build a "K-culture convergence arena." In North Chungcheong, Kim Young-hwan of the People Power Party also pledged to build a domed stadium that meets international standards.
There are also pledges to create new sports teams alongside domed stadium construction. Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for North Jeolla governor, said, "We will pursue attracting and launching a professional baseball team and building a domed stadium where professional baseball can be played." Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Daegu mayor, and Cho Sang-ho, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Sejong mayor, also plan to establish arenas capable of hosting local sports games and performances.
Candidates for basic local government heads have joined in. In Gyeonggi Province's Seongnam, Suwon, Hwaseong, Goyang, Guri, and Gwangmyeong, as well as Asan in South Chungcheong and Cheongju in North Chungcheong, pledges have emerged to build domed stadiums or arenas. Capacities reach up to 50,000 seats. That is three times the size of Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome (16,000 seats), the country's first and currently only such facility.
◇ Professional baseball becomes a "vote-rich field"… last year's attendance a record 12 million
The wave of domed stadium pledges across the country ahead of the local elections reflects the popularity of professional baseball. Last year, domestic pro baseball drew 12,312,519 spectators, a record high. It also marked the second straight year topping 10 million after 2024. The trend is continuing this year. As of the 21st of last month, cumulative attendance reached 4,035,771 through 222 games, the fastest ever to surpass 4 million games-wise. Last year, it took 230 games to top 4 million.
Most regions where domed stadium pledges have emerged are hotbeds of baseball fever. Busan is home to the Lotte Giants, one of the most popular pro baseball teams in Korea. In the Chungcheong area, nearby Daejeon is home to the Hanwha Eagles. Kim Young-hwan, the North Chungcheong governor candidate, said, "Along with building a domed stadium, we will attract a new home team for North Chungcheong to relieve residents' cultural and sports thirst, which had relied on Hanwha Eagles games in Cheongju."
Lee Won-taek, the North Jeolla governor candidate, unveiled the domed stadium plan, saying, "The sense of loss residents have felt since the disbandment of the Ssangbangwool pro baseball team, which had North Jeolla as its home, and the relocation of the KCC basketball team, has been an issue of regional identity and pride," adding, "Now, to fill that gap, we will push for building a domed stadium along with attracting and launching a pro baseball team."
◇ Local residents also say "not so sure"… entertainment industry says "uses as a performance venue are limited"
The role of domed stadiums or large arenas is clear. They host sports games and, in the remaining schedule, are used for performances and exhibitions. An official at a metropolitan local government said, "Considering that performances and exhibitions are one-off events, attracting pro baseball games is essentially the key," adding, "Consultation with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is essential." However, KBO Commissioner Heo Gu-yeon has said, "Launching 11th and 12th clubs is realistically difficult."
Locally, there is skepticism about the feasibility of building a "domed stadium." In Busan, a poll found that 59.4% answered low when asked about the feasibility of the "North Port baseball stadium construction pledge."
According to a public opinion poll commissioned by Busan MBC to the Korea Society Opinion Institute and conducted Apr. 12-13 via a wireless ARS automated response survey (100% wireless) of 801 Busan residents aged 18 and older, 48.2% opposed building the North Port baseball stadium, while 40.2% supported it. As for why the feasibility of the North Port baseball stadium construction pledge is low, "massive budget" ranked highest at 32.8%, followed by "election pledges without specifics" (31.6%) and "overlap with the Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction project" (29.1%). The response rate for this survey was 6.9%, and the margin of error was ±3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.
Even in the entertainment industry, which is calling for large performance venues, there is a view that nationwide plans to build domed stadiums are unrealistic. An official at a domestic entertainment company said, "The shortage of domestic performance venues is a chronic problem," but added, "Considering attracting overseas tourists, areas other than the capital region and Busan, which are close to airports, lack economic viability."