[2025 National Audit] Golf Course Accidents on the Rise: 1,702 Cases and 11 Deaths in the Past 3.5 Years

National Fire Agency Data from April 2022 to August This Year
26% of Casualties Caused by Fires, Falls, and Entrapments

Golf course accidents are on the rise in South Korea. Over the past three years and six months, a total of 11 people have died in such incidents.

On October 29, Sohn Sol, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Progressive Party, stated, "According to data from the National Fire Agency, from April 2022 to August this year, nine people died and 38 were injured in outdoor golf course accidents." She added, "If we include the fatal accident at a Gapyeong golf course in October this year, the total number of deaths rises to 11."

Sohn Sol, Progressive Party Member of Parliament. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Sohn Sol's office, since the National Fire Agency began classifying golf courses as a separate accident location in 2022, the number of rescue cases has surged: 339 cases in 2022, 344 in 2023, and 656 last year. As of August this year, 363 cases had already been reported. Of these cases, 26% involved direct casualties resulting from incidents such as fires, falls, and entrapments.

Sohn Sol's office further revealed, "Based on materials submitted by the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency regarding the Gapyeong golf course accident in October, and an on-site inspection conducted on the 28th, ten days after the accident, it was confirmed that there were no safety fences or fall warning signs installed at the accident site."

Sohn Sol emphasized, "Most outdoor golf course accidents could have been fully prevented if thorough facility management and safety inspections had been conducted." She urged, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must conduct a comprehensive investigation and emergency inspection of roads, carts, and safety facilities at golf courses nationwide."