Opposition Reaches Out to Gym Industry: "No Reason to Differentiate from Other Indoor Facilities"

Hatakeyong and Others Research Institute Sign Cooperation Agreement on Coexistence Quarantine and Joint Action

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The 'Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute,' which has positioned itself as the problem solver for youth issues within the People Power Party, took action on the 5th to address the livelihood problems of indoor sports facilities such as gyms.

The 'Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute,' formed by cooperation between party lawmakers including Representative Ha Tae-kyung and young politicians, signed a 'Joint Action Agreement for Coexistence and Quarantine of Indoor Sports Facilities such as Gyms and Pilates Studios' with the Gym Managers Association at a gym in Yeouido, Seoul, on the same day, pledging mutual cooperation to guarantee the survival rights of businesses.

The core content of the agreement is that if indoor sports facility operators comply with not only basic quarantine rules but also practical measures such as limiting the minimum number of people admitted and closing indoor shower rooms, the Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute will actively work on reorganizing quarantine principles that consider both safety and livelihoods at the National Assembly level.

Due to recently strengthened quarantine measures, indoor sports facilities such as gyms and Pilates studios have been completely closed, but outdoor sports facilities like golf courses and ski resorts, as well as educational facilities such as taekwondo dojangs and ballet academies, have been allowed limited operation, causing strong backlash from the industry. Some gym owners have even defied quarantine measures and opened their businesses, signaling collective action. The gym industry states, "We have not even received an explanation as to why some indoor sports facilities are allowed to operate while others are not."

Kim Jaeseop, a researcher at the Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute, emphasized, "The government's inconsistent quarantine measures are seriously threatening the survival rights of the fitness industry," and added, "Effective measures must be taken to guarantee the survival rights of the fitness industry and create an environment where the public can exercise comfortably." Director Ha Tae-kyung promised, "We will prepare reasonable alternatives and standards and cooperate at the National Assembly level."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.