22 Days Until National Sports Festival... Kimhae Mayor Hong Taeyong: "A Safe Festival Blended with Culture"

"We will ensure that the 105th National Sports Festival is held safely and without incident, creating a cultural sports event where culture and sports are harmoniously blended, focusing on safety and enjoyment."

Hong Taeyong, the mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, introduced the main stadium of the National Sports Festival, Gimhae Sports Complex, on the 19th and made these remarks.

Hong Taeyong, mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, is introducing Gimhae Sports Complex, the main stadium for the National Sports Festival.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

Mayor Hong said, "The National Sports Festival, centered in Gimhae, is just 22 days away," and added, "It will be a cultural sports festival held alongside various cultural events such as exhibitions and performances."

He also mentioned, "During the festival, there will be the Gaya Culture Festival, the closing ceremony of the East Asian Cultural City, the first anniversary event of the Daeseong-dong Tumuli UNESCO inscription, and a drone show at Gaya Theme Park."

He continued, "After the Gimhae Flower Festival ends, rowing competitions will be held in Daedong-myeon, providing more attractions," and encouraged, "I hope everyone takes an interest in and fully enjoys the various events held throughout Gimhae."

The main stadium for the 105th National Sports Festival and the 44th National Disabled Sports Festival, Gimhae Sports Complex.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Mayor Hong stated, "The sports complex is grand and has a variety of internal facilities, so we are carefully considering how both Gimhae citizens and domestic and international visitors can easily navigate the venue," and added, "We are working with Gyeongsangnam-do to ensure a safe and culturally rich festival."

He further emphasized, "The biggest concerns are traffic congestion and safety issues expected when attendees disperse after the opening and closing ceremonies," and promised, "We will deploy more than 4,000 citizen volunteers and supporters on-site to help everyone move safely and comfortably."

Regarding the partial collapse of the stadium retaining wall that occurred in early June, he explained, "After repairs, the stadium structure underwent a safety inspection and received an excellent overall evaluation grade."

He added, "Above all, holding the event safely is the top priority," and assured, "We will pay special attention to traffic and movement during the entire festival, including the opening and closing ceremonies, to ensure that there are absolutely no safety accidents."

Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae, Gyeongnam (center), Park Sungyeon, Director of Planning and Coordination Office (left), and Jang Pankyu, Director of Education and Sports Bureau, are smiling as they unveil Gimhae Sports Complex, the main stadium for the National Sports Festival. Photo by Lee Seryeong

Mayor Hong explained, "The National Sports Festival generally attracts less attention than the Olympics, so we are maximizing publicity to increase interest," and continued, "Of the 46 Paris Olympic medalists, 40 will participate in this festival, and 6 will join as torchbearers, which will be a great driving force for this event."

He added, "The opening ceremony will capture the historical significance of Gyeongsangnam-do, from the Gaya era to the present leading the aerospace industry, and into the future, including the development of key industries," and promised, "After the festival, the main stadium will be transformed into a complex sports and cultural space where both citizens and visitors can enjoy sports and culture together."

The torch pedestal inside Gimhae Sports Complex, the main stadium for the 105th National Sports Festival and the 44th National Disabled Sports Festival.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

The 105th National Sports Festival will be held from October 11 to 17, and the 44th National Para Sports Festival will take place from October 25 to 30, both centered in Gimhae.

The Gimhae Sports Complex, where the opening and closing ceremonies and main events will be held, was built with five underground and three above-ground floors, covering a total area of 68,370 square meters.

It is equipped with 15,066 seats, a natural grass field, a certified Class 1 track and field stadium, around 70 internal offices for use as a situation room and operations headquarters, as well as one parking building and 1,079 parking spaces.

On one side of the stadium, a torch stand featuring the Ssang-eo (double fish), a representative motif from the Gaya era, has been erected, and the stadium roof is also decorated with two fish patterns symbolizing harmony and prosperity.

In addition to sporting events, the temporary opening special exhibition of Gimhae Municipal Kim Youngwon Art Museum, featuring works by artist Kim Youngwon who created the King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun, and a promotional booth for the festival will also be held here.

The opening ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on October 11 at Gimhae Sports Complex under the theme "From Space to Space, the Flame of Harmony," and the closing ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the 17th.

This year's National Sports Festival, returning to Gyeongsangnam-do after 14 years, will see about 28,000 athletes from 17 cities and provinces across the country, representing high school, university, and general divisions, competing in 49 events at 75 venues in 18 cities and counties in the province.