Jung Jong-bok, Gijang County Governor, Meets KBO President Heo Gu-yeon

Consultation on Prompt Promotion of Cooperation Projects Between the Two Organizations

Jung Jong-bok, Mayor of Gijang County, meeting with KBO President Heo Gu-yeon to discuss collaborative projects between the two organizations.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] On the afternoon of the 11th, Busan’s Gijang-gun met with KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) Commissioner Hur Koo-yeon at 2 PM to discuss various matters for the prompt promotion of cooperative projects between the two organizations, including the ‘Korea Baseball Hall of Fame’ and the ‘Gijang-KBO Baseball Center.’

This meeting was held to share the progress of the long-awaited ‘Korea Baseball Hall of Fame’ project by both organizations and to discuss the establishment of infrastructure for the ‘Gijang-KBO Baseball Center,’ which was finally selected in the mid-last month public contest.

The ‘Korea Baseball Hall of Fame’ is a joint cooperation project among Gijang-gun, Busan City, and KBO, aiming to build a specialized museum that allows a comprehensive view of the 110-year history of Korean baseball and the 40-year history of professional baseball in Korea.

When the ‘Korea Baseball Hall of Fame’ opens in 2026, KBO will host various baseball-related programs and special events such as induction ceremonies honoring Korean baseball figures, while Gijang-gun will directly manage and operate the facilities.

The ‘Gijang-KBO Baseball Center’ will utilize the comprehensive baseball-related infrastructure established by Gijang-gun to develop and operate content related to the mid- to long-term development of Korean baseball, including age-specific youth training camps, specialized education for coaches and umpires, the establishment of a sports medical and scientific cluster, and R&D to enhance international competitiveness.

The baseball theme park within Ilgwang Recreation Area in Gijang-gun, where the ‘Korea Baseball Hall of Fame’ and ‘Gijang-KBO Baseball Center’ will be located (Dongbaek-ri, Ilgwang-eup), currently has four baseball fields, one little league baseball field, and one softball field. Additionally, an indoor baseball practice facility and baseball experience center are planned for 2024, a comprehensive sports complex and youth hostel for 2025, and the Korea Baseball Hall of Fame for 2026 are under development.

Once all these facilities are completed, Gijang-gun is expected to become the city with the largest and best-equipped comprehensive baseball infrastructure in Korea, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

County Governor Jeong Jong-bok stated, “Once the baseball theme park within Ilgwang Recreation Area, equipped with the nation’s top-level practice facilities, is completed, Gijang-gun is expected to emerge as a global baseball mecca. We will continue to make it a training ground where youth, amateur, and professional players can showcase their best skills, and we will devote all administrative efforts to ensure that Gijang-gun becomes the central axis for the future development of Korean baseball.”