Daily Busan
Busan swings for the fences with Sajik Stadium revamp
source: Kookje Newspaper
Sajik Baseball Stadium, a beloved symbol of Busan’s baseball culture, will be transformed into a modern sports complex and is expected to reopen in 2031.
On July 3, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety approved the renovation project, confirming its feasibility and putting the plan in motion.
Since opening in 1985, the stadium has served as a gathering place where fans share their passion for baseball and create lasting memories while rooting for the beloved Lotte Giants. However, after 40 years, aging infrastructure has caused safety concerns for fans and players.
With reconstruction now approved, Busan City aims to build a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly stadium that goes far beyond simple refurbishment.
A design competition will be held next year, with construction scheduled to take place from 2028 to 2030. During this time, the Busan Asiad Main Stadium will be remodeled as a temporary home for local games, ensuring fans can continue to watch the Giants without interruption.
The upgraded complex will feature amenities comparable to those found in Major League Baseball venues in the U.S., including real-time game data displays and augmented reality photo zones, which will allow fans to take digital photos with their favorite players.
The Busan mayor expressed his hopes for the project, saying, “The new Sajik Baseball Stadium will be more than just a sports venue; it will serve as a key driver of the local economy and become a future asset of Busan where sports, culture and industry intersect.” He added, “We value communication with our citizens and will do our best to build a ‘sports paradise city’ where people choose to call home.”
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
transform: 변하다 feasibility: 타당성 reconstruction: 재건축 refurbishment: 재단장 interruption: 방해 comparable to: ~에 비할만한 intersect: 교차하다
Editor: Song Soomi
Copy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy