Lee Hyun-jae, the People Power Party candidate and incumbent Mayor of Hanam, has announced ambitious plans to significantly expand park golf infrastructure in the city, responding to surging local demand.

In a recent meeting with officials from the Park Golf Association, Lee detailed plans to deliver a total of 72 new park golf holes across multiple sites, with construction targeted for completion by the first half of 2027 at the latest.

Key Projects

• Dangjeong Park 18-hole Course: Already under development during Lee’s current term, this course is scheduled for completion in July 2026. The project, valued at 1.6 billion KRW, features newly planted turf, modern amenities, and a connecting walkway to the nearby rowing stadium with enhanced parking facilities.
• Gyosan District: A new 18-hole course (15,000㎡) planned within the sports facility site.
• Seondong Park Golf Course (under Misa Bridge): The flagship addition — a 36-hole facility spanning 45,620㎡. This project had previously faced obstacles due to strict Ministry of Climate and Energy regulations on river occupancy near water intake facilities (within 4 km upstream). Following persistent advocacy and a key policy revision in March 2026 to the “Detailed Standards for River Occupancy Permits,” the project has now become feasible.

Lee also confirmed that the existing 18-hole course at the rowing stadium warming-up area will continue to operate.

Strong Underlying Demand

The announcements address notable waiting lists, with approximately 1,600 citizens currently queued for park golf access in Hanam. One facility alone has around 1,000 people on its waitlist, highlighting the rapid growth in popularity of park golf as an accessible recreational sport, particularly among senior and middle-aged players.

Broader Sports Infrastructure Plan

Complementing the golf developments, Lee pledged the construction of a large 4,000-seat multi-purpose indoor gymnasium on unused land at the Hanam Sports Complex. The 10,000㎡ venue, budgeted at approximately 50 billion KRW, will feature 2,500 fixed and 1,500 retractable seats. It is designed to host national-level competitions in badminton, basketball, volleyball, and handball, while also supporting concerts and cultural events.

Industry Implications

For the park golf sector in Asia, Hanam’s proposed expansion represents one of the more substantial public commitments in the Korean market. The successful navigation of environmental regulations could serve as a useful precedent for future course developments in river-adjacent or environmentally sensitive areas.

This initiative underscores the continued growth trajectory of park golf in South Korea, where the sport has evolved from a niche activity into a mainstream recreational offering with strong community and municipal support.

For the original story please visit Asia Business Daily