Is Songpa-gu Becoming a Sports Sanctuary?... Full-Scale Relocation of the Sports Science Institute Begins

Published 13 Apr.2023 07:15(KST)

Updated 13 Apr.2023 07:52(KST)

Songpa-gu Announces Public Inspection Notice for Implementation Plan Approval of Korea Institute of Sport Policy and Science Relocation until the 20th

Relocation to be Completed in 2024... Korea National Sport University, Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, and Various Stadiums to be Located in Songpa

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu: “Based on Sports Hub Facilities, We Will Enhance the Value of Songpa as a City of Community Sports”

In 2024, major domestic sports-related facilities and functions will be concentrated in Songpa-gu.

Prior to this, Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it will conduct a public inspection notice for the implementation plan approval to relocate the Korea Institute of Sport Policy and Science, currently located at Taereung Training Center in Nowon-gu, to Olympic Park until April 20.

The Korea Institute of Sport Policy and Science (hereinafter referred to as the Sport Science Institute) is a research institute under the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation established in 1980. It is responsible for developing sports policies, conducting sports science research, supporting the enhancement of elite sports performance, and facilitating international sports exchange and cooperation. The relocation was promoted in accordance with the restoration plan of the Joseon Royal Tombs (Taereung and Gangneung) by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2013.

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation decided in 2019 to relocate to Songpa-gu, where the foundation is based, and after approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, submitted an application for implementation plan approval for relocating its office to the Olympic Culture Center within Olympic Park last March. The plan involves remodeling the 2nd and 3rd floors of the center, currently used as a banquet hall and restaurant.

Accordingly, the district plans to promptly proceed with related procedures such as collecting residents’ opinions through the public inspection notice, coordinating with relevant departments, architectural review, and implementation plan approval. The completion is expected in 2024.

Olympic Sports Complex Development Perspective View

Olympic Park, where the Sport Science Institute will be established, already houses ▲sports specialized educational institutions such as Seoul Physical Education High School and Korea National Sport University ▲administrative organizations such as the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee ▲various sports facilities including the Gymnastics Stadium and Handball Stadium.

In particular, the ‘Olympic Sports Complex Development Project,’ which integrates sports, tourism, and cultural spaces, is progressing smoothly in phases. Remodeling of the Olympic Parktel, remodeling and expansion of the Olympic Hall, and expansion of the National Sports Museum are underway. In the second half of 2024, a library requested by the district will also be established for residents’ use.

Furthermore, once the relocation of the Sport Science Institute is completed, Songpa-gu will enable everything from sports-related education and research to tourism and cultural enjoyment. The synergy effect among facilities is expected to further strengthen domestic sports capabilities.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok stated, “With the relocation of the Korea Institute of Sport Policy and Science, Songpa-gu will become the only city where Korea’s major sports facilities and functions are concentrated,” adding, “We will put more effort into the 8th-term administration’s strategic task of ‘creating a city of community sports’ and develop Songpa-gu, the main stage of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, once again into a domestic sports hub city.”