Gyeonggi Provincial Assemblyman Kim Hyun‑seok (People Power Party, Gwacheon) sharply criticized the government's plan to relocate Gwacheon Race Park under its Jan. 29 housing supply measures and called for a formal policy review.
At a press conference in the provincial council briefing room on the morning of the 10th, Kim characterized the rival bids from roughly 10 municipalities in the province to host the park as politically driven agitation lacking sound analysis.
Citing internal Korea Racing Authority data, he warned that relocation would erode the venue’s competitiveness and estimated an annual revenue decline of 1.2 trillion KRW (900 million USD) and an operating loss of 240 billion KRW (180 million USD).
Kim sounded particular alarm about the fiscal impact on Gyeonggi Province. He noted that the race park’s annual leisure tax contribution of 213.8 billion KRW (160.35 million USD) is a central funding source for the province’s welfare programs. A tax shortfall from relocation, he said, would create a fiscal shock that could force cuts to services for vulnerable groups, including seniors and people with disabilities.
He criticized Governor Kim Dong‑yeon’s accommodating posture and Gyeonggi Council Chairman Kim Jin‑gyeong’s participation in the hosting competition as irresponsible. He also accused Rep. Lee So‑young (Democratic Party, Uiwang–Gwacheon) of ignoring citizens’ opposition to the move, calling that stance logically inconsistent.
Finally, Kim warned that relocating the race park would threaten the livelihoods of roughly 24,000 people working in the horse industry. He urged that the issue undergo a reasoned, public deliberation focused on residents’ welfare rather than political calculations ahead of local elections.
