Ulsan HD fans of professional soccer are angry these days. Last year, they won three consecutive K League 1 titles, opening a new dynasty, but something that tarnished their glory happened. Suspicions have grown that politics intervened in Ulsan Munsu Stadium, their home stadium.
About 20 condolence flowers were delivered to the southern gate of Ulsan City Hall on Wednesday. The number of condolence flowers, which used to be around 15 around lunchtime, is on the rise as time passes. Most of them criticize the fact that the third-floor seats of Ulsan Munsu Stadium have been changed to red gradations during the remodeling process. "This is an issue to protest the city of Ulsan, which has brought political colors to soccer, which is separate from politics," an official of the Ulsan supporter Cheoyong Warrior said over the phone. "I don't understand why red seats should be installed at Ulsan Munsu Stadium, where blue is the symbol. I pointed out the problem by holding a truck protest in front of Ulsan City Hall since last week."
Ulsan fans are criticizing the Ulsan Facilities Corporation for replacing some of the old stands (15,694 seats) on the third floor of Ulsan Munsu Stadium with red during the remodeling. 먹튀검증
In the case of Ulsan Munsu Stadium, the first and second floors were originally made of blue, which symbolizes Ulsan, and the third floors were made of green, yellow, purple, and orange. The Ulsan Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation has decided to change the color from blue to red after removing the existing seats on the third floor from mid-April. Ulsan fans signed an objection, saying that red color not only symbolizes Pohang Steelers, its archrival, but also reminds them of a specific political party (power of the people) to which Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-kyum belongs, but it was not accepted. Asan, South Chungcheong Province, was also criticized as a political intervention when it wore a red uniform instead of a blue one at the home opening match against Bucheon FC last year.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Government says it made the decision because it is inappropriate to unify all the stands in one color because Ulsan Munsu Stadium is also a stadium where A-match, a national competition, is also held. Fans protest that "A-match has been held only three times in 10 years."
Some say that it is too late to prevent changes in the Ulsan Munsu Stadium. The explanatory materials on the replacement of seats on the third floor of Ulsan Munsu Stadium, which Ulsan City released on the 9th, state that the construction will be completed by March with a known red gradient. In response, an official from Cheoyongjeon Hall said, "Keun Jo Hwahwan is an expression of regret for Ulsan City Hall's refusal to communicate with citizens and fans who support Ulsan," adding, "We will continue to demonstrate the wrong behavior of Ulsan City in the future." If Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom visits Ulsan Munsu Stadium, he will be more active.