Yongin City Praised for Comprehensive Traffic Measures and Lawn Management
Mayor Lee Sang-il: "An Opportunity to Promote Yongin Domestically and Internationally"
On the 15th, the 'Yongin Mir Stadium' in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, attracted attention as the venue for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup third qualifying match between the South Korea and Iraq national football teams. This match between South Korea and Iraq has highlighted the stadium's facilities and capabilities to host not only football matches but also various sports events.
A view of Yongin Mir Stadium in Samga-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin City. With increased recognition following the hosting of the World Cup qualifying match, it is expected to become a popular venue for various domestic and international events. [Photo by Yongin City]
Opened in January 2018 in Samga-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, the 'Yongin Mir Stadium' has a seating capacity of 37,000. Despite its well-equipped facilities, it had not been utilized extensively until now. However, with this tournament showcasing the excellent turf condition and high-standard international facilities, expectations are rising that its utilization will increase.
The owner of Mir Stadium, Yongin City, and the managing body, Yongin Urban Corporation, reportedly put considerable effort into preparing for this tournament. They thoroughly prepared not only for stadium management but also for transportation convenience and safety.
In fact, the preparation process involved collaboration between the city, police, fire station, Yongin Volunteer Fire Brigade, youth guidance officers, and the Yongin Model Drivers Association, among others from both public and private sectors. The police controlled traffic and assisted the safe movement of spectators to prevent casualties or traffic congestion caused by the sudden influx of crowds. The fire department also deployed personnel and equipment to be ready for emergencies.
Volunteers were stationed along major pedestrian routes between key bus stops and subway stations and the stadium to reduce confusion during movement and prevent safety accidents. To prevent parking congestion and encourage public transportation use, temporary parking lots were secured, and bus and light rail operations were increased as part of transportation measures.
To secure parking spaces, the city fully opened the city hall parking lot and arranged a total of seven parking lots with 6,534 spaces through consultations with institutions near the stadium, including Myongji University and Yongin Office of Education. Shuttle buses were operated for spectators using public transportation, and the number of express bus runs was increased from 68 to 79. City bus operations also increased from 58 to 66 runs, and after the match, four charter buses were operated to run to Dongcheon Station on the Shinbundang Line.
As a result, despite the large crowds gathering around Yongin Mir Stadium in a short period, the city explained that not a single safety accident occurred.
Lee Sang-il (third from the left), Mayor of Yongin, is watching the South Korea vs. Iraq match in the third round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers held at Yongin Mir Stadium. [Photo by Yongin City]
Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il also visited the stadium in advance on the day to inspect the preparation status. Mayor Lee said, "We put a lot of effort into preventing traffic congestion and safety accidents," adding, "Police, fire officials, and community members worked together to successfully hold the event."
Mayor Lee actively promoted the stadium for sports events by introducing Yongin Mir Stadium to Chung Mong-gyu, President of the Korea Football Association, Chung Mong-joon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation, and Muhammad Mustafa Jumaa Al-Muntafiki, Ambassador of Iraq to Korea, before the match started.
A city official said, "This tournament has significantly raised the awareness of Yongin Mir Stadium," and expressed expectations that "it will serve as an opportunity to attract various domestic and international sports events in the future."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
