Hanam City Council Adopts Resolution Urging Return of Misa Rowing Course Site to Citizens

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1st Regular Session of the 340th Meeting Until June 13... Reviewing 17 Agenda Items Including Ordinances
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The Hanam City Council in Gyeonggi Province (Chairman: Geum Gwangyeon) has called for the return of the Misa Rowing Course site, the only facility of its kind in Korea, which was established in Misadong in 2002.

Hanam City Council adopted the "Resolution Urging the Return of the Misa Rowing Course Site" at the 1st plenary session of the 340th regular meeting on the 2nd and is taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Hanam City Council

According to the Hanam City Council on June 3, the council held the 1st plenary session of the 340th regular meeting on June 2 and unanimously adopted the "Resolution Urging the Return of the Misa Rowing Course Site," which was proposed by Councilor Geum Gwangyeon.

The Misa Rowing Course (1.33 million square meters) is a national sports facility that was created for rowing and canoe events during the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It is currently operated by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation as a gambling-based boat racing venue. After opening as the Misari Rowing Park in 1995, the venue launched boat racing in 2002 to pioneer new horizons in water sports, and has been in operation for 23 years.

As negative effects of the gambling-based boat racing business, as well as complaints regarding parking shortages and noise, have increased, the city council held the 1st plenary session of the 340th regular meeting on June 2 and adopted the "Resolution Urging the Return of the Misa Rowing Course Site," which was proposed by Councilor Geum Gwangyeon.

In his proposal explanation, Councilor Geum Gwangyeon stated, "After the international and national sports uses of the Misa Rowing Course ended, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation has been using the site as a gambling-based boat racing venue for profit. However, Hanam citizens have been deprived of their legitimate rights and have suffered serious disadvantages for decades. Although this site is adjacent to Misa Riverside City and is designated as 'Misajeongjeong Park' for public use in the city plan, it is currently being used for profit-oriented gambling businesses rather than for public purposes. This situation is in direct contradiction to the original purpose and public value of the facility as a public asset."

He further criticized, "The operation of boat racing has caused serious harm to the daily lives of Hanam citizens, including traffic congestion, parking shortages, noise, and environmental pollution. This effectively infringes on citizens' property rights and violates their constitutionally guaranteed rights to residence, environment, and the pursuit of happiness."

In particular, Councilor Geum Gwangyeon emphasized that Hanam is an area with large residential complexes such as Misa Riverside City, Wirye New Town, and Gam-il District, and that the rapid population growth has made it urgent to secure more public leisure spaces. He also pointed out that, with 71.84% of the area designated as a greenbelt, it is structurally difficult to secure land for public sports, culture, and arts facilities.

Accordingly, through the resolution, the city council strongly urged: (1) the government to promptly return the Misa Rowing Course site to Hanam City; (2) the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation to immediately begin the process of returning the site; and (3) the mayor of Hanam to take comprehensive policy actions without delay to return the Misa Rowing Course to the citizens.

The 1st regular meeting, which will be held for 12 days until June 13, is scheduled to review a total of 17 agenda items, including various ordinances related to citizens' livelihoods and the "Approval of the Settlement of Accounts for Fiscal Year 2024."

The "Approval of the Settlement of Accounts for Fiscal Year 2024" will undergo preliminary review by each standing committee, followed by a comprehensive review by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, and will be finally approved at the 2nd plenary session on June 13.

The ordinances proposed by council members include: (1) the Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Hanam City Silver Council (Geum Gwangyeon); (2) the Ordinance on the Management of Public Contest Projects in Hanam City (Oh Jiyeon); (3) the Ordinance on the Promotion of the Well-Dying Culture in Hanam City (Geum Gwangyeon); (4) the Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and the Promotion of the Outdoor Advertising Industry in Hanam City (Lim Heedo); (5) the Ordinance on the Operation and Support of Public Night Pharmacies in Hanam City (Park Sunmi); (6) the Ordinance on Support for Nighttime Children's Hospitals in Hanam City (Park Sunmi); and (7) the Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Operation of Towing Vehicles in Hanam City (Oh Seungcheol).

Agenda items submitted by the executive branch include: (1) the agreement on the private consignment of the operation of electronic bulletin boards; (2) the Ordinance on Support for Defect Management in Hanam City Construction Projects; (3) the Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Prevention and Support of Solitary Deaths in Hanam City; (4) the Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Daycare Facilities for the Disabled in Hanam City; and a total of nine items.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Geum Gwangyeon said, "During the 1st regular meeting, we will deliberate on important items such as the approval of the settlement of accounts for fiscal year 2024, various ordinances, and agreements. The review of the settlement of accounts is not merely about approval; it is significant in that it helps set the direction for next year's budget planning and lays the foundation for sound fiscal management."

Finally, Chairman Geum Gwangyeon requested, "I ask all council members to praise and encourage the achievements of the executive branch during the review of the settlement of accounts, and to suggest improvements and alternatives for any mismanaged or insufficient projects, so that we can ensure the appropriateness and transparency of budget execution and establish a rational budget system."

Meanwhile, on this day, the city council selected Choo Ilsun (President of the Saemaeul Women's Association in Chungung-dong), Jang Youngtae (Advisor to the Deokpung 2-dong Community Security Council), Kim Kwangin (Member of the Misa 1-dong Residents' Autonomy Committee), and Noh Yunha (Member of the Bareuge Salgi Committee in Wirye-dong) as recipients of the "Model Citizen Award for the Second Quarter of 2025" in recognition of their exemplary sense of duty, volunteer spirit, and contributions to the development of the local community.