Changwon City "Takes NC Park Accident Committee Findings Very Seriously" ... Pledges to Prevent Recurrence

The Gyeongsangnam-do Accident Investigation Committee has announced the results of its investigation into the spectator fatality that occurred at Changwon NC Park in March last year, and Changwon City and the Changwon Facilities Corporation bowed their heads to the bereaved families and victims, saying they "take this matter very seriously."

On the 12th, at the city hall press center, Director of Planning and Coordination Kim Jongpil, Director of Culture, Tourism and Sports Kim Manki, and Acting Chairperson of Changwon Facilities Corporation Lee Kyunggyun held a briefing on the investigation results of the Gyeongsangnam-do Accident Investigation Committee regarding the spectator death at NC Park.

Kim Jongpil, Director of Planning and Coordination of Changwon City (from left), Kim Manki, Director of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Changwon City, and Lee Kyunggyun, Acting President of Changwon Facilities Corporation, are bowing their heads and apologizing to the bereaved families and victims ahead of a briefing to announce their position and future measures regarding the spectator death incident at Changwon NC Park. Photo by Lee Seryeong

They first bowed their heads and said, "We pray for the repose of the deceased, who lost their life in the unforeseen accident last year, and once again extend our deepest condolences and apologies to the bereaved families and victims."

Director Kim Manki stated, "As responsible parties in this matter, Changwon City and the Facilities Corporation respect the committee's findings and conclusions and are taking them very seriously," adding, "In particular, Changwon City, as the entity that developed and owns the baseball stadium, is acutely aware of its heavy responsibility."

He continued, "As soon as we receive the accident report from the Accident Investigation Committee, which includes the causes of the accident and the recommended improvements, the city and the Facilities Corporation will thoroughly review all aspects and swiftly and responsibly address any deficiencies," emphasizing, "We will comprehensively improve the life-cycle management system for all public facilities."

Kim Jongpil, Director of Planning and Coordination of Changwon City (from left), Kim Manki, Director of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Changwon City, and Lee Kyunggyun, Acting President of Changwon Facilities Corporation, are announcing their position and future action plans regarding the spectator death incident at Changwon NC Park. Photo by Lee Seryeong

He also pledged, "We will conduct an overall diagnosis of the current process management system for public facilities, supplementing the management framework for each phase, including design, ordering, construction, and maintenance, and we will work to improve systems and regulations so that they function effectively in the field," adding, "We will also strengthen supervision and oversight of the entire process, actively reflecting the opinions of the Accident Investigation Committee."

He further added, "We will make every effort to ensure that such a tragic incident never happens again," and said, "We promise to continue to prioritize citizen safety in managing public facilities, and once again, we apologize to the citizens and NC fans for causing concern."

A louver attached to the exterior wall near the concession stand on the third-base side at Changwon NC Park has fallen. Reporter Lee Seryeong

Previously, at around 5:20 p.m. on March 29, 2025, during a professional baseball game, a structure installed on the exterior wall near the concession stand on the third-base side of NC Park fell from a height of 17.5 meters.

In the accident, three women who were standing in line in front of the concession stand were injured, and among them, a woman in her 20s, referred to as Ms. A, suffered severe head and other injuries, was taken to a hospital for treatment, and died two days later.

The fallen structure was identified as a "louver," an aluminum exterior finishing material, measuring 2.6 meters in length, 40 centimeters in width, and weighing approximately 33.94 kilograms.

At the location where the accident occurred, repair work had been carried out in December 2022 due to broken window glass, and during this process, the window contractor temporarily removed the louver and then reattached it.

The Gyeongsangnam-do Accident Investigation Committee announced the results of its investigation into the fatal accident at Changwon NC Park at the provincial government press center that day, stating, "We have determined that the accident occurred due to a combination of structural defects in the upper fastener connection of the louver and inadequate management throughout the entire process, including design, ordering, construction, and maintenance."

The NC Dinos stated that they would not issue a separate official statement regarding the announcement of the investigation results by the Accident Investigation Committee.