Opening of Andong Songhyeon-dong Military Base Parade Ground ... Andong City, Citizen Sports Park Development

Agreement between Division Commanders Kwon Ki-chang and Moon Byung-sam

Construction of a Soccer Field on 15,000 Pyeong

A portion of the military base land in Songhyeon-dong, Andong City, will be opened to the public for the first time in over 70 years.

On the 11th, Andong City and the Army's 50th Infantry Division signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Andong City Hall to open some areas adjacent to residential zones, including the training ground, for public use.

Andong City Hall, Gyeongbuk.

The agreement includes plans to create a sports park for citizens and military personnel around the training ground of the 50th Division’s Ilgyeok Brigade (123rd Brigade) in Songhyeon-dong, operate discount programs for soldiers and their families at major tourist sites in Andong, run cultural exploration programs, hold a Chajeonnori competition for division soldiers, and participate in local festivals to promote mutual development.

The signing ceremony was attended by Division Commander Moon Byung-sam, Mayor Kwon Ki-chang, and Andong City Council members Woo Chang-ha and Kim Sae-rom. After the ceremony, attendees visited the Ilgyeok Brigade in Songhyeon-dong for an on-site inspection and experienced military meals at the base cafeteria.

Mayor Kwon Ki-chang said, “I am pleased that, through today’s agreement, a portion of the Ilgyeok Brigade land in Songhyeon-dong can be opened to citizens thanks to the base’s consideration. According to the agreement, we will promptly establish sports facilities and parks that can be used jointly by civilians and the military to expedite the opening.”

An Andong City official stated, “The Ilgyeok Brigade training ground area to be opened to Andong citizens is approximately 15,000 pyeong (about 49,586 square meters). We are currently designing plans to install artificial turf and build sports park facilities such as a soccer field and parking lot. Once completed around next year, citizens will be able to use the sports park during peacetime, excluding military training periods.”

The Ilgyeok Brigade site in Songhyeon-dong has been used as military land for over 70 years, starting in the 1950s when the 36th Division was established and stationed in the area, followed by the 70th Division, and currently the 50th Division’s Ilgyeok Brigade.

Andong City has incorporated the opening of part of the Ilgyeok Brigade land in Songhyeon-dong to the public as a pledge in the 8th local government administration and has been pushing forward with full efforts.

In particular, the process accelerated after Mayor Kwon Ki-chang met with Army 50th Infantry Division Commander Moon Byung-sam in October last year to discuss ways to utilize the military land in Songhyeon-dong.

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