30억 써 육사 테니스장 고쳤는데…운영권 못 얻은 협회, 국가에 손배소

The Korean Tennis Association (KTA) sued the government over a 30 billion won investment in the Korean Military Academy (KMA) tennis courts, demanding the return of funds. The association claimed their investment would be difficult to recover if the tennis courts were not guaranteed to be managed by the KMA. At a press conference on July 31st, the KTA announced their lawsuit for a 30 billion won damages claim.

The lawsuit is part of a broader issue that dates back to 2015 when the KMA requested funding from the KTA to renovate the aging tennis facilities. The KTA agreed to provide the investment funds under the condition that they would be returned upon completion. However, in 2016, the KMA canceled the agreement and revoked the tennis courts' operating rights.

The KTA has not been able to recover any of their investment, citing the lack of managerial changes in the KMA leadership as a hurdle. The KTA also faced financial difficulties due to the interest payments on the borrowed funds. Earlier this year, the KTA filed a complaint with the National Interest Council, but received a response stating that the KMA is not obligated to return the investment funds.

In May, the KTA provided evidence of the contract's invalidity and demanded the allocation of operating rights or appropriate compensation. The association has also urged the KMA and the Ministry of National Defense to provide a suitable compensation plan, or a long-term management agreement for the tennis facilities, ensuring that the athletes and amateur sports enthusiasts can continue using the facilities.

KTA President Do Hyun emphasized that the KMA's facilities were a model of cooperation between the military and civilians, and the KTA is seeking the fulfillment of the past commitments, rather than special treatment. KTA legal counsel Park Sang-gi stressed that it is unjust for the association to bear the burden of losses solely due to the government's request.