"Special Benefits for Long-term Members" Arbitrary Business Activities Prevail at Jungmun Golf Course Myopo Course

Korea Tourism Organization Ignored Issue?..."Ordered to Restrict Public Access" Explanation

Persistent Complaints About Odor on Course...Delayed Response to "Will Investigate"

Golfers are practicing at the nursery within Jungmun Golf Course. Photo by Park Changwon

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] It has been confirmed that unauthorized business activities are taking place at Jungmun Golf Course in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island, operated by the Korea Tourism Organization.

On the 15th, Asia Economy's investigation revealed that Mr. A, who is entrusted with operating the golf practice range, an ancillary facility of Jungmun Golf Course, arbitrarily sold grave plot usage rights to long-term members for over a year.

The grave plot is an essential facility where the golf course itself grows grass to immediately repair the course and greens (the grassy area around the hole for putting) when damaged. Therefore, it is common to restrict access for curing purposes.

Mr. A admitted in a phone call with this reporter, "I did inform long-term registered members that they could use the grave plot."

A Jungmun Golf Course official drew a line on such unauthorized business activities, stating, "We only signed a lease contract for the golf practice range facilities with Mr. A," and "We requested to prevent unauthorized access by the general public to the grave plot."

They added, "We will enhance the signage prohibiting external access to the grave plot to ensure that only authorized personnel can enter," and "We will manage it well in the future to prevent recurrence of similar cases."

Meanwhile, foul odors within the course are also a headache. Jungmun Golf Course, located in the Jungmun Tourist Complex, is known as a beautiful course with a sea view, but on the contrary, complaints about sewage odors causing distress have been continuously raised. There is a sewage treatment plant nearby, and it is said that the odor worsens on cloudy days with low atmospheric pressure.

A Jungmun Golf Course official said, "I was appointed in February and was unaware of the odor complaints," and "We will identify the cause and respond promptly."

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won captain@asiae.co.kr