Seoul City Blamed for World Cup Stadium Turf Problems Despite Fan Outcry Over IU’s Concert

On September 14th, IU Gallery issued an extensive statement expressing fans’ outrage regarding the city’s attempt to shift responsibility for the ‘turf issue’ related to IU’s upcoming concert. They declared, “Fans feel a great sense of relief that IU’s concert, set for next week at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, will proceed as planned. However, we cannot overlook the incompetence of Seoul City’s administration.”

In the statement, IU Gallery stated, “The turf issue at the World Cup Stadium stems from the negligence of the Seoul Facilities Corporation. Since Seoul City manages and supervises this corporation, it should take responsibility for the turf concerns and offer an apology to the citizens of Seoul. Instead, the city seems to mislead the public into thinking that the removal of ground seats from sales starting next year is due to IU’s concert.”

Furthermore, it emphasized, “With two other concerts already held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium prior to IU’s, the Facilities Corporation is anticipated to accrue over 3.6 billion won in concert fees alone in 2024. Thus, it is expected that the corporation should have managed the turf with the highest level of care and diligence.”

Earlier on September 14th, Seoul City revealed plans to restrict the sale of ground seats for concerts and other cultural events at the Seoul World Cup Stadium starting in 2025. This decision reportedly responds to concerns regarding the turf’s condition after the September 5th match between the men’s national football team and Palestine in the 2026 North and Central American World Cup qualifiers.

Source: naver

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