(Jeong Heeyong, Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party, Goryeong County, Seongju County and Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang)

In a move to modernize sports infrastructure for an aging population, National Assembly member Jeong Heeyong (People Power Party) officially sponsored a legislative package on the 24th dubbed the "Three Park Golf Promotion Bills."

The proposed amendments—targeting the Sports Facilities Act, the River Act, and the Green Belt Act—aim to dismantle regulatory hurdles that have slowed the development of park golf courses despite a massive surge in public demand.

Addressing the Infrastructure Gap

While park golf has rapidly evolved from a niche activity into a mainstream "daily sport," particularly among older adults, existing facilities have failed to keep pace with its popularity.

"Park golf is a form of daily sports that not only improves the health of older adults but also expands communication between generations," Assemblyman Jeong stated. "Given that infrastructure expansion is lagging behind the pace of popularization, we will establish a more systematic support framework through these bills."

The "Three Promotion Bills" Breakdown

The legislative package focuses on three primary areas of reform:

• Sports Facilities Act: The amendment clearly defines park golf courses as facilities the state and local governments may operate. Crucially, it introduces a legal basis for administrative and financial support, allowing for more aggressive public funding.
• The River Act: Currently, eco-friendly park golf courses are subject to the same rigorous "occupancy permit" procedures as heavy structures. The bill proposes simplified and expedited processing for facilities that have a minor impact on river environments.
• Green Belt Act: While the Ministry of Land currently allows courses via "authoritative interpretation," the amendment officially codifies park golf courses as "outdoor sports facilities" allowed in green belt areas, removing legal ambiguity.

A Vision for a "National Sport"

The move is seen as a strategic response to the demographic shift in North Gyeongsang and beyond, where active seniors are seeking more accessible recreational outlets. By simplifying the permit process for riversides and green belts—the two most common locations for these courses—the bill is expected to trigger a wave of new development.

"We will spare no legislative support so that park golf can firmly establish itself as a national sport enjoyed by all generations together," Jeong added.

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