Following a lackluster 0-0 draw against Palestine on September 5, team captain Son Heung-min expressed disappointment with the field. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – A public controversy has erupted in South Korea over the use of Seoul World Cup Stadium, pitting soccer fans against K-pop enthusiasts in a debate that highlights the challenges of maintaining world-class sports facilities while accommodating the country’s booming entertainment industry.
The dispute was sparked by complaints from the national soccer team about the poor condition of the stadium’s pitch.
Following a lackluster 0-0 draw against Palestine on September 5, team captain Son Heung-min expressed disappointment with the field, stating, “We have many technically gifted players, but they struggled with ball control and dribbling. I hope this can be improved when we play at home.”
The criticism has led to calls for the cancellation of an upcoming concert series by K-pop superstar IU, scheduled for September 21 and 22 at the stadium.
A petition on the government’s public forum demanded that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon prioritize pitch maintenance for the national team’s World Cup qualifier against Iraq on October 15.
The petitioner argued that the influx of over 100,000 concertgoers would inevitably damage the field, leaving insufficient time for recovery before the crucial soccer match.
The Seoul Facilities Corporation, which manages the 66,704-seat stadium, has traditionally allowed cultural and religious events during periods when no A-matches or FC Seoul games are scheduled. (Image courtesy of the Seoul Facilities Corporation)
This incident underscores a growing tension between sports and entertainment events at major venues in South Korea.
The Seoul Facilities Corporation, which manages the 66,704-seat stadium, has traditionally allowed cultural and religious events during periods when no A-matches or FC Seoul games are scheduled.
However, the closure of Olympic Stadium for renovations has increased pressure on World Cup Stadium as a concert venue, intensifying concerns about pitch maintenance.
The controversy has even drawn international attention, with Palestine’s coach Makram Daboub noting, “From our perspective, the condition of the Seoul World Cup Stadium pitch was not 100%. We had to make a significant effort to adapt to this field.”
This file photo taken March 30, 2023, shows singer-actor IU. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
IU’s management company, EDAM Entertainment, has responded to the concerns, stating that they will strictly adhere to ground use protocols and are focusing on turf management.
This approach follows a precedent set by singer Lim Young-woong, who refrained from selling ground-level seats at his May concert in consideration of soccer fans’ concerns.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
