Korea eyes new dome stadiums for sports, K-pop concerts

Korea has embarked on a nationwide quest to identify potential locations for the construction of advanced multipurpose indoor stadiums. The primary objective is to tackle the persistent scarcity of premier venues that can host international sporting events and major K-pop concerts throughout the year. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will be accepting bids from regional local governments and public institutions until December 8.

The government plans to choose two candidate sites by the end of the month. One of these sites will be for a large-scale dome stadium capable of accommodating at least 40,000 spectators, with the capacity to host events for over 50,000 people during concerts. The other site will be for a medium-scale venue designed to seat between 20,000 and 40,000 individuals.

This ambitious multibillion-won project is set to be completed by 2034. It aligns with the government's broader strategy to enhance public access to sports and culture, as well as to establish iconic, world-class landmarks that can attract international tourists and boost regional economies. The initiative comes at a time when Korea's cultural and entertainment industries are facing a significant shortage of covered, mega-capacity arenas.