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Busan Metropolitan City Signs Franchise Agreement with OK Savings Bank Okman Volleyball Club

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that on July 14 at 11:00 a.m., it will sign a franchise agreement with OK Savings Bank Okman Volleyball Club (owned by Choi Yoon) to designate Busan as the team’s home city. The signing will take place in the Small Conference Room on the 12th floor of City Hall.

The agreement ceremony will be attended by Mayor Park Heong-joon, team owner Choi Yoon, General Manager Kwon Cheol-geun, Head Coach Shin Young-cheol, and others.

This agreement stipulates that OK Savings Bank Okman Volleyball Club (hereinafter “OK Okman Volleyball Club”) will relocate its home base to Busan, and that both parties will cooperate to expand citizens’ access to sports and contribute to the development of the local sports industry.

In accordance with the agreement, the two parties will actively work together to boost the local economy, promote healthy leisure activities for citizens, and further develop the sports culture and industry of Busan.

Additionally, Busan Metropolitan City plans to completely renovate Gangseo Indoor Gymnasium, the team’s future home venue, and provide multifaceted support to help the team settle successfully in Busan and deliver strong performances.

The City expects that the relocation of OK Okman Volleyball Club will contribute to revitalizing the western region of Busan, offer high-quality professional volleyball matches to citizens, broaden cultural engagement, and help expand the local base for volleyball—including youth development programs.

Starting with the 2025–2026 season, OK Okman Volleyball Club will use the indoor gymnasium within Gangseo Sports Park as its home stadium. The new stadium is conveniently located near a metro station, improving accessibility, and will become the first venue in the Yeongnam region to host men’s professional volleyball matches.

Meanwhile, Busan currently has 13 elementary, middle, and high school volleyball teams and about 200 amateur volleyball clubs, with approximately 1,700 members, demonstrating the city’s high level of interest and passion for the sport. This franchise relocation is expected to leverage Busan’s existing volleyball infrastructure to further stimulate local volleyball activity.

To capitalize on citizens’ attention to the franchise relocation and revitalize professional sports, the City will also organize a variety of event programs in collaboration with the team.

Furthermore, plans are in place to foster aspiring young volleyball players, expand the amateur base, and improve facilities—supporting the advancement of both elite and recreational sports in Busan.

Mayor Park Heong-joon is expected to state, “Busan has now become a city that hosts all four major professional sports teams, enabling citizens to enjoy professional sports year-round. Busan Metropolitan City will actively support OK Savings Bank Okman Volleyball Club to take root deeply in Busan and grow into a prestigious club beloved by citizens.”