The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is significantly increasing its budget for the renovation of public sports facilities to ensure that all citizens can enjoy sports in a safe and comfortable environment.
On September 7, the ministry announced that it has allocated 255.8 billion won ($255.8 million) for the 2027 public sports facility renovation support program, a 168.4% increase from this year's budget of 95.3 billion won. This amount is approximately 2.7 times larger than the current budget.
Of the 10,753 public sports facilities nationwide (excluding temporary facilities), about 70% are over 10 years old and in need of renovation. The demand for renovations is also rising sharply, with requests increasing from 381 in 2023 to 484 in 2025. In response, the ministry plans to focus on improving existing facilities rather than constructing new ones to ensure that the benefits of the budget are felt quickly.
The public sports facility renovation program for next year will be driven by three key priorities: enhancing safety, responding to climate change, and improving accessibility and utilization of facilities.
To enhance public safety, the government will increase the funding support rate for urgent renovations from 50% to 70%. This change aims to alleviate the financial burden on local governments, enabling quicker maintenance. Additionally, the ministry plans to support the installation of temperature-reducing devices, such as sprinklers, in artificial turf soccer fields that are vulnerable to extreme heat, ensuring safe sports activities for youth athletes and local residents.
Outdoor sports facilities will be transformed into all-weather spaces to address climate change. The ministry will support the installation of roof structures for outdoor sports facilities like tennis courts, basketball courts, and futsal fields, reducing the impact of extreme weather and creating an environment suitable for year-round use.
Accessibility and facility utilization will also be significantly improved. In line with the 12 million spectators for the KBO League and 3 million for the K League, the ministry will enhance amenities such as seating and restrooms in stadiums, expanding women's restrooms and family-friendly spaces. Support will also be provided for replacing outdated broadcasting equipment to improve visitor convenience. Furthermore, the ministry aims to upgrade the facilities and environment of World Cup stadiums to accommodate various activities, including large performances, transforming them into regional multi-purpose cultural and sports spaces.
The public sports facility renovation support program for 2027 will accept applications from this month until October. After a review by a selection committee, the final support recipients will be determined around December.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stated, "We have boldly increased investment in public sports facilities with the perspective that public health is national competitiveness. We will strengthen the government's role to ensure that all citizens can maintain their health through exercise in a safe and pleasant environment, and we will expedite related projects so that the public can feel the changes."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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