부산의 미래를 건 승부수, ‘북항 돔구장’이 던진 파격과 과제 > K-wave Trends

The core of the North Port Dome Stadium project is to fundamentally change the business structure that has been sluggish. In the past, the North Port redevelopment had structural limitations that posed a high risk to private investors due to the dual role of the land owner, Busan Port Authority (BPA), and Busan City, which was in charge of facility operation. However, a new breakthrough was achieved when the amendment to the Port Corporation Act proposed by the former president-elect passed the standing committee of the National Assembly. If this bill is finalized, BPA will be able to participate as a direct project implementer beyond simply selling the land, making public-led integrated development possible. This means that the license holder and the project implementer are virtually aligned, and it is expected to be a strong incentive to attract private investors who have been hesitant due to uncertainty.

But behind the grand blueprint lurk practical challenges that need to be addressed immediately. The first wall we encountered was the conflict with the Sajik Baseball Stadium reconstruction project that was previously being promoted. The 29.9 billion won in national funds already secured through government public offering is in a position to be returned if the project details are changed, and this is highly likely to act as a political burden in the Busan City Council's structure of ruling and opposition parties. In addition, the process of coordinating the opposition of local residents and the voices of stakeholders is unlikely to be smooth. If the president-elect's plan to reorganize Sajik Baseball Stadium into a mecca for recreational sports is to lead to practical results, it is more urgent than anything else to present an elaborate roadmap that can persuade citizens rather than forcefully overturning already entrenched administrative procedures.

The economic feasibility and feasibility of the North Port Dome Stadium are also matters that must be thoroughly verified. As it is a large-scale private investment project with astronomical project costs in the trillions of trillion won, many point out that it is difficult to guarantee profitability with a single baseball stadium facility alone. Therefore, as envisioned by the president-elect, it is essential to materialize the vision as a complex cultural space that combines performances, exhibitions, shopping, and tourism centered on the function of a baseball stadium. Fortunately, North Port is expected to grow into a maritime policy cluster, including the relocation of HMM's new headquarters and the possibility of hosting the headquarters of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, so there is ample potential for the baseball stadium to create synergy effects as a landmark of Busan, not just a sports facility. When deciding on business methods through professional services in the future, how to maximize these urban strategic values ​​will be the key to business success.

The success of this project ultimately depends on ‘active administration’ and ‘leadership’. In order to break the vicious cycle of past mayors mentioning the construction of a baseball stadium only during the election period and remaining indifferent after being elected, the mayor's strong will must move the civil service organization and bring about real change. In particular, BPA must abandon its passive attitude and engage in business with a more proactive attitude after the law is revised, and Busan City must work closely with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to clarify authority distribution and operating systems. Showing an exemplary model of cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties and local governments under the sole cause of creating a future growth base for Busan beyond political interests will be the starting point for the true change that Busan citizens desire.