Iconic sports stadium in Seoul getting makeover ahead of Olympic bid
A rendered image of the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT}
Work began Tuesday on an extensive renovation of one of Seoul's most iconic sports stadiums.
In a statement, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said it aims to transform the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul, a symbol of the Seoul Olympics in 1988, into a new sports and cultural space in line with its bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036.
The exterior of the structure will be preserved, with only the interior renovated.
The makeover will be completed by December 2026.
Oh said during the Seoul Olympic Legacy Forum held last year that he would “host another Seoul Olympics” by renovating existing sports facilities.
The Seoul Olympic Stadium was built in 1984 ahead of the Seoul Olympics. It was designed by renowned Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun.
The total number of seats will be reduced from 65,000 to 60,000, but the seats will be more convenient.
Many of the seats currently at the venue are small and lack backrests.
The city government said some 30,000 seats will be replaced during the renovation. The other 30,000 seats were already renovated ahead of the National Sports Festival held in 2019.
Around 350 seats will be added for those with disabilities.
An additional screen will be placed in the northern part of the stadium. Currently, there is only one screen located in the southern part.
A 30-meter-wide public square will be constructed to connect the Han River and Tancheon, a tributary of the Han River.
Sports and living facilities will be expanded by constructing gymnastics and housing facilities for athletes.
Along with the remodeling of the stadium, the Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium located in the southeastern part of the complex will be moved to the southwest. The new gymnasium will likely have pools for swimming and diving.
The city government added that the stadium will use an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system to reduce energy waste, cutting energy usage by 35 percent with hydrothermal energy from the Han River.
Tuesday’s renovation comes as the metropolitan government plans to revamp the Jamsil Sports Complex areas into a hub for meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions, or MICE, a type of tourism that attracts large groups of people for business gatherings or retreats.
“The city government will try its best to rebirth the facility as a city landmark and complex for culture and sports that preserves the history as the venue that hosted the Seoul Olympics in 1988,” a spokesperson for the city government said.
BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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