'Kim Dong-yeon Type' Athlete Opportunity Income Sets Sail... 17 Cities and Counties Accept Applications Until October

Gyeonggi-do Athletes Opportunity Income Information Poster

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The 2009 film "National Athlete," starring Ha Jung-woo, attracted 8.5 million viewers. Inspired by the South Korean ski jumping national team that competed in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, this movie gained great popularity with its dramatic elements. However, the domestic sports environment remains challenging. Unlike popular sports, less popular sports face many difficulties due to a thin pool of athletes and poor support.

Gyeonggi Province will introduce an athlete opportunity income program next year to provide sports activity opportunities to athletes who do not receive fair compensation and to promote the spread of social value creation.

Among local governments in the province, Gwangmyeong City is accepting applications for athlete opportunity income until the 30th of this month. Additionally, 16 cities and counties including Hwaseong, Siheung, and Paju will conduct applications in September and October.

The athlete opportunity income program provides 1.5 million KRW annually in two installments in cash to athletes aged 19 or older who are registered residents of cities and counties within the province. Eligibility requires that the individual’s recognized income be at or below 120% of the 2024 median income standard (2,674,134 KRW per month).

Notably, the athlete opportunity income is designed for athletes in less popular sports aiming for international competitions such as the Olympics, low-income university athletes, and unaffiliated athletes without workplace sports teams. These athletes receive 1.5 million KRW annually for training expenses, equipment purchases, and other costs.

Gyeonggi Province will finalize the list of recipients for the athlete opportunity income next year based on application status by city and county and survey results from athletes by October.

Separately from the athlete opportunity income payments, Gyeonggi Province will operate programs to expand athletes’ social contributions, including developing an online sports activity platform and promoting talent donation in cooperation with local sports organizations.

Namgung Woong, Director of the Sports Promotion Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Many citizens were deeply moved by sports during this Olympics. Gyeonggi Province operates 10 workplace sports teams focused on less popular sports such as modern pentathlon, which includes athlete Kim Sun-woo who participated in this Olympics. Through the athlete opportunity income, we will support less popular sport athletes and young athletes to continue their training and pursue dreams such as Olympic participation."

Earlier, from the 9th to the 29th of last month, Gyeonggi Province, together with the Gyeonggi Sports Council and the Gyeonggi Disabled Sports Council, conducted a survey on athlete opportunity income targeting 1,276 athletes across 70 sports organizations, 31 city and county sports councils, and sports facilities within the province.

The survey results showed that the average monthly income of 165 professional athlete respondents was 1.69 million KRW, with university athletes earning 1.15 million KRW and unaffiliated athletes earning 1.92 million KRW. Regardless of income level, 97% of professional athletes responded positively to the athlete opportunity income policy.

Furthermore, 1,262 respondents, accounting for 98.9%, expressed willingness to participate in additional social value creation activities such as social contributions beyond sports and coaching activities.

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