Kim Byung -ji, president of Gangwon FC (second left) and Yukdong Chuncheon Mayor (middle). (Photo Gangwon FC)
Next year, the K1 League and Korea Cup (formerly FA Cup) home game will be held in Gangneung next year. The Chuncheon Home Rights, which has been held since 2018, ends this year. This is because Chuncheon did not respond to the ‘2026 Gangwon FC Home Restaurant Responsibility Collection’. Gangneung -si participated alone.
In fact, Chuncheon City’s re -public gathering was noticed. The conflict between Gangwon FC and Chuncheon -si is the cause, and the situation goes back to March. Kangwon FC, who won the K -League runner -up last year, won the ACLE, which won the AFC Champions League Elite (AFC) Champions League Elite, and discussed with Chuncheon City to meet the stadium required by AFC.
In particular, in April, Kim Byung -ji, CEO of Gangwon FC, compared Chuncheon and Gangneung’s number of K -League spectators and sales of seasons, and mentioned the “exclusion of Chuncheon’s home game”. In May, a banner called Kim Byung -ji’s resignation at the Chuncheon Songam Sports Town Main Stadium, where the K -League match was held. Kangwon FC said, “Chuncheon is lukewarm for the removal of banners.” Kim Byung -ji was silent, and the owner of the owner Kim Jin -tae apologized instead.
Last month’s conflict was reestablished. Gangwon FC, which has been in the home game, is based on the amount of subsidies for local governments. Gangwon FC said, “It is not excluded from Chuncheon. Both Gangneung and Chuncheon have a chance to hold the second half.” Chuncheon -si professed that there would be no discussion unless the Gangwon FC did not really apologize to Chuncheon citizens, saying, “Gangwon FC will not be really apologized to Chuncheon citizens.”
The controversy also spread as a fight of local politics. This is because the party of the fight is the owner of the people of the people (Kim Jin -tae), the representative director (Kim Byung -ji), and the Chuncheon Mayor of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party’s Chuncheon City Representative criticized, “Gangwon FC encourages competition with blood taxes.” On the other hand, a city councilor of the people confronted, “Chuncheon -si betrayed the people and soccer fans who cherished Gangwon FC.” Gangwon FC emphasized, “Please look at this problem from the point of view of football.”
By Lee Hae -jun, Lee.hayjune@joongang.co.kr
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