Guestbook

TEST008

Although the building was completed at a huge expense, the opening date has been postponed as public opinion among residents has worsened due to the complex interests of some civic groups and political circles, and the situation is being closely monitored.Through community service in the Yongsan area and opening cultural centers, the Korea Racing Authority is working to soothe residents’ public sentiment and improve the image of horse racing and off-track betting facilities.There are no legal defects before the Yongsan branch relocation. As already stated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, since the branch is already operating in the same area, there is no need to seek the consent of local residents for the relocation. Also, the distance from the school claimed by the opposing side is beyond the 200 meters set by law, so there is no major problem.

TEST008

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects that if Jeju Special Self-Governing Province faithfully implements the detailed action plans under the Horse Industry Promotion and Development Plan, it will play a leading role in fostering Korea’s horse industry and will also make a significant contribution to stabilizing horse supply and demand.Minister Lee Dong-pil said, “At a time when FTAs are expanding, the horse industry can create new sources of income for agriculture and rural areas, promote exchanges between urban and rural communities, and develop into advanced-country-style industries such as tourism, leisure (equestrian) industry, and healing industry.” He added, “The designation of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Horse Industry Special Zone carries great significance in that it will establish the foundational infrastructure for the future development of the horse industry.”

TEST008

In particular, they stated that they will closely analyze the operational performance of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Horse Industry Special Zone going forward and expand the designation of special zones, while also announcing plans to designate around five special zones nationwide by 2017 in the mid to long term, with one zone per region.The only animal in Korea that is managed under a special law is the horse. Once one of the animals closest to humans, it has now, under the influence of the Industrial Revolution, given up much of its former role and become confined to activities such as horse racing and horseback riding.In 2011, the government enacted the Horse Industry Promotion Act as a measure to prevent the deterioration of the rural economy caused by FTAs, aiming to develop it as a new growth engine for the rural economy.

TEST008

Although the building was completed at a huge expense, the opening date has been postponed as public opinion among residents has worsened due to the complex interests of some civic groups and political circles, and the situation is being closely monitored.Through community service in the Yongsan area and opening cultural centers, the Korea Racing Authority is working to soothe residents’ public sentiment and improve the image of horse racing and off-track betting facilities.There are no legal defects before the Yongsan branch relocation. As already stated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, since the branch is already operating in the same area, there is no need to seek the consent of local residents for the relocation. Also, the distance from the school claimed by the opposing side is beyond the 200 meters set by law, so there is no major problem.

TEST008

With Gyeryong Construction relocating to a new headquarters in February, the Korea Racing Authority plans to purchase the shared Gyeryong Construction building and improve customer service by remodeling it into an optimized facility. When residents began opposing the expansion of the Daejeon branch, the Korea Racing Authority stated that it would maintain the current policy of one person, one seat, assigned seating system and the current number of entrants.The importance of off-track betting facilities in the horse racing industry is by no means small.To implement horse racing, enormous financial resources are required to equip basic facilities such as racecourses, stands, and auxiliary facilities, and due to difficulties in securing land to build racetracks, it is a reality in countries that have implemented horse racing that they operate off-track betting facilities far outnumbering the number of racetracks.

TEST008

Although the building was completed at a huge expense, the opening date has been postponed as public opinion among residents has worsened due to the complex interests of some civic groups and political circles, and the situation is being closely monitored.Through community service in the Yongsan area and opening cultural centers, the Korea Racing Authority is working to soothe residents’ public sentiment and improve the image of horse racing and off-track betting facilities.There are no legal defects before the Yongsan branch relocation. As already stated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, since the branch is already operating in the same area, there is no need to seek the consent of local residents for the relocation. Also, the distance from the school claimed by the opposing side is beyond the 200 meters set by law, so there is no major problem.

TEST008

Although the betting ticket sales union went on strike on race day demanding changes to wages and employment arrangements, there was no major disruption in the ticket sales operations.When collective bargaining with the Korea Racing Authority broke down, the Labor Union of Racecourse Ticket Vendors of the KRA Korea Racing Association went on strike, and on the 22nd, about 300 ticket vendors refused to come to work.At some off-track locations, some ticket sellers who had more than 50% attendance were refusing to come to work, causing confusion at Seoul Racecourse Park and various off-track locations. To avoid this, free admission was implemented, all Korea Racing Authority staff waited at the ticket counters, and race broadcasts encouraged the use of self-service ticket machines.

TEST008

Regarding the Daejeon branch, the Daejeon Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Coalition held a press conference on the 8th in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s Daejeon branch in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, calling for the withdrawal of the expansion plan for the Wolpyeong-dong off-track betting center and urging the withdrawal of the Daejeon branch expansion plan and relocation to the outskirts.In their statement, they argued that since the Daejeon branch was established, citizens have been exposed to the risk of gambling addiction and are suffering serious infringements on their living environment, such as traffic congestion caused by illegal parking on weekends and the deterioration of educational and residential environments due to the concentration of entertainment facilities. They demanded the relocation to the outskirts or closure, but accused the Korea Racing Authority of instead trying to expand it.

TEST008

In particular, the two main roads are blocking access to the nearest school, Seongsim Girls’ Middle and High School, so it was found that only 0.27 students per day actually attend school in front of the new Yongsan branch, revealing how absurd the opposing side’s claims were.Nevertheless, the opposing side is shouting only opposition unconditionally.In their press statement, the Residents’ Committee demanded opposition to the expansion of the Yongsan branch office outside the building, desperate resistance if the branch office is forced to open inside, and strong action from the Yongsan District Mayor, the district council, and National Assembly member Jin Young.In particular, they have repeatedly insisted that opening the new Yongsan branch is absolutely impossible, and that if the opening is pursued, there would be no need for consultation.

TEST008

In particular, they stated that they will closely analyze the operational performance of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Horse Industry Special Zone going forward and expand the designation of special zones, while also announcing plans to designate around five special zones nationwide by 2017 in the mid to long term, with one zone per region.The only animal in Korea that is managed under a special law is the horse. Once one of the animals closest to humans, it has now, under the influence of the Industrial Revolution, given up much of its former role and become confined to activities such as horse racing and horseback riding.In 2011, the government enacted the Horse Industry Promotion Act as a measure to prevent the deterioration of the rural economy caused by FTAs, aiming to develop it as a new growth engine for the rural economy.

TEST008

With Gyeryong Construction relocating to a new headquarters in February, the Korea Racing Authority plans to purchase the shared Gyeryong Construction building and improve customer service by remodeling it into an optimized facility. When residents began opposing the expansion of the Daejeon branch, the Korea Racing Authority stated that it would maintain the current policy of one person, one seat, assigned seating system and the current number of entrants.The importance of off-track betting facilities in the horse racing industry is by no means small.To implement horse racing, enormous financial resources are required to equip basic facilities such as racecourses, stands, and auxiliary facilities, and due to difficulties in securing land to build racetracks, it is a reality in countries that have implemented horse racing that they operate off-track betting facilities far outnumbering the number of racetracks.

TEST008

Regarding the Daejeon branch, the Daejeon Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Coalition held a press conference on the 8th in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s Daejeon branch in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, calling for the withdrawal of the expansion plan for the Wolpyeong-dong off-track betting center and urging the withdrawal of the Daejeon branch expansion plan and relocation to the outskirts.In their statement, they argued that since the Daejeon branch was established, citizens have been exposed to the risk of gambling addiction and are suffering serious infringements on their living environment, such as traffic congestion caused by illegal parking on weekends and the deterioration of educational and residential environments due to the concentration of entertainment facilities. They demanded the relocation to the outskirts or closure, but accused the Korea Racing Authority of instead trying to expand it.

TEST008

Regarding the Daejeon branch, the Daejeon Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Coalition held a press conference on the 8th in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s Daejeon branch in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, calling for the withdrawal of the expansion plan for the Wolpyeong-dong off-track betting center and urging the withdrawal of the Daejeon branch expansion plan and relocation to the outskirts.In their statement, they argued that since the Daejeon branch was established, citizens have been exposed to the risk of gambling addiction and are suffering serious infringements on their living environment, such as traffic congestion caused by illegal parking on weekends and the deterioration of educational and residential environments due to the concentration of entertainment facilities. They demanded the relocation to the outskirts or closure, but accused the Korea Racing Authority of instead trying to expand it.

TEST008

The organizers say it will be a single-day horse racing event, but implementing it requires 2 to 3 weeks of preparation for on-site personnel. It is only natural for the implementing agency to present appropriate compensation plans for additional work. He said, "We will always keep the negotiation channel open and hope that the Korea Racing Authority will engage in discussions for an active resolution."Meanwhile, a Korea Racing Authority official stated, "The implementation of Chuseok horse racing was already agreed upon last year through consultations between the implementing body and related organizations. In the end, they stated, “The demands of the handlers’ union should be discussed with the trainers’ association, not the implementing authority,” and since the Chuseok horse racing event has already been announced both internally and externally, they view the implementation as a given.

TEST008

I believe the issue with the Yongsan off-track betting facility could serve as an opportunity to reflect on the path Korean horse racing has taken so far. Ultimately, focusing on sales may have led to the failure to properly address the negative impact off-site sales outlets have on local communities, which likely caused this situation. As a Yongsan resident, I hope a peaceful resolution can be found soon," he said.A Hanju resident opposing the opening did not hesitate to make remarks treating horse racing fans like criminals, saying, “Who would want to live in an area swarming with gamblers because of a gambling venue?”

TEST008

However, the opposition committee is firmly resisting, arguing that the pilot operation is merely a “trick” to change the narrative and that the Korea Racing Authority is seriously infringing on educational conditions and residential environments under the guise of legal legitimacy, stating that they will not engage in any dialogue until the Yongsan off-track betting center is closed first.However, due to strong opposition from some residents and civic groups, the center failed to open last year, suffering huge losses, and after years of consecutive failures in the off-track betting business, it has been forced into a last-ditch stand with no room to retreat; if the Yongsan off-track betting center is closed, the foundation of the Korea Racing Authority could be shaken.

TEST008

I believe the issue with the Yongsan off-track betting facility could serve as an opportunity to reflect on the path Korean horse racing has taken so far. Ultimately, focusing on sales may have led to the failure to properly address the negative impact off-site sales outlets have on local communities, which likely caused this situation. As a Yongsan resident, I hope a peaceful resolution can be found soon," he said.A Hanju resident opposing the opening did not hesitate to make remarks treating horse racing fans like criminals, saying, “Who would want to live in an area swarming with gamblers because of a gambling venue?”

TEST008

The organizers say it will be a single-day horse racing event, but implementing it requires 2 to 3 weeks of preparation for on-site personnel. It is only natural for the implementing agency to present appropriate compensation plans for additional work. He said, "We will always keep the negotiation channel open and hope that the Korea Racing Authority will engage in discussions for an active resolution."Meanwhile, a Korea Racing Authority official stated, "The implementation of Chuseok horse racing was already agreed upon last year through consultations between the implementing body and related organizations. In the end, they stated, “The demands of the handlers’ union should be discussed with the trainers’ association, not the implementing authority,” and since the Chuseok horse racing event has already been announced both internally and externally, they view the implementation as a given.

TEST008

The Let's Run CCC Yongsan issue became a nationwide topic because the civic groups leading the opposition continuously tried to turn it into a political issue, while opposition politicians echoed their voices without showing any real willingness to address the core problem, prioritizing their own interests and thereby escalating the problem.As the issue of Let's Run C.C.C. Yongsan unfolds into a left-right confrontation between progressives and conservatives, voices of concern are growing.Mr. Kim, the head of public relations at a nursing hospital living in Yongsan, said, “As a fan of horse racing, I’m glad that the Yongsan off-track betting facility is opening, as it is close to my home.

TEST008

They also insisted that the person leading the opposition committee is engaging in mob rule by disregarding the order of liberal democracy, and that left-wing groups that ignore laws and institutions must disappear.In its second statement, the Parents’ Coalition for Reviving Public Education warned that it would expose the existence of the residents’ countermeasure committee to the public for its illegal left-wing collusion and also file charges against politicians who use the virtual horse racing track for political gain.Earlier, on August 12, the National Parents’ Association for True Education issued a statement titled “Stop the Operation of Online Gambling Venues That Threaten Student Safety and the Educational Environment Immediately,” labeling off-track betting facilities as online gambling venues and claiming that “the Korea Racing Authority is completely ignoring its public duty to protect the environment around schools by focusing solely on the profits it gains from operating these gambling sites.

TEST008

Separately, they stated that the expansion of starting aids and starting tests on race days is increasing the workload of horse handlers, and the number of times racehorses are being delivered to training centers or testing grounds is rising, leading to greater risks of industrial accidents and increased labor, and that they have notified them of their refusal.On July 17, the therapists’ union submitted petitions to the Anyang Regional Employment and Labor Office (Seoul), the Busan Northern Regional Office (Pukyong), and the Gwangju Regional Office (Jeju), requesting administrative guidance on the grounds of alleged violations of the Labor Standards Act and collective agreements. Subsequently, the Busan Northern District Office issued an administrative directive stating, “Overtime without labor-management agreement violates the Labor Standards Act, so do not unilaterally implement additional work.”

TEST008

Separately, they stated that the expansion of starting aids and starting tests on race days is increasing the workload of horse handlers, and the number of times racehorses are being delivered to training centers or testing grounds is rising, leading to greater risks of industrial accidents and increased labor, and that they have notified them of their refusal.On July 17, the therapists’ union submitted petitions to the Anyang Regional Employment and Labor Office (Seoul), the Busan Northern Regional Office (Pukyong), and the Gwangju Regional Office (Jeju), requesting administrative guidance on the grounds of alleged violations of the Labor Standards Act and collective agreements. Subsequently, the Busan Northern District Office issued an administrative directive stating, “Overtime without labor-management agreement violates the Labor Standards Act, so do not unilaterally implement additional work.”

TEST008

I believe the issue with the Yongsan off-track betting facility could serve as an opportunity to reflect on the path Korean horse racing has taken so far. Ultimately, focusing on sales may have led to the failure to properly address the negative impact off-site sales outlets have on local communities, which likely caused this situation. As a Yongsan resident, I hope a peaceful resolution can be found soon," he said.A Hanju resident opposing the opening did not hesitate to make remarks treating horse racing fans like criminals, saying, “Who would want to live in an area swarming with gamblers because of a gambling venue?”

TEST008

The Let's Run CCC Yongsan issue became a nationwide topic because the civic groups leading the opposition continuously tried to turn it into a political issue, while opposition politicians echoed their voices without showing any real willingness to address the core problem, prioritizing their own interests and thereby escalating the problem.As the issue of Let's Run C.C.C. Yongsan unfolds into a left-right confrontation between progressives and conservatives, voices of concern are growing.Mr. Kim, the head of public relations at a nursing hospital living in Yongsan, said, “As a fan of horse racing, I’m glad that the Yongsan off-track betting facility is opening, as it is close to my home.

TEST008

However, the opposition committee is firmly resisting, arguing that the pilot operation is merely a “trick” to change the narrative and that the Korea Racing Authority is seriously infringing on educational conditions and residential environments under the guise of legal legitimacy, stating that they will not engage in any dialogue until the Yongsan off-track betting center is closed first.However, due to strong opposition from some residents and civic groups, the center failed to open last year, suffering huge losses, and after years of consecutive failures in the off-track betting business, it has been forced into a last-ditch stand with no room to retreat; if the Yongsan off-track betting center is closed, the foundation of the Korea Racing Authority could be shaken.