Choi Hong-hoon, the President of the Korea Snowboard and Ski Association, expressed on the 19th during an event held in Seoul that the Jeongseon Alpine Center needs to be utilized urgently as a dedicated training venue for winter sports. He stated that achieving greater success for the Korean snowboard team at the upcoming 2030 Winter Olympics in France requires the right environment for athletes to train, highlighting the necessity of a proper training facility. Choi’s remarks follow the accolades received by Korean snowboard athletes for their medals at the recent Olympics, which served as a reminder of the importance of training resources.

The call for enhanced training facilities has been echoed by others in the sport. Coach Kim Soo-cheol, who helped Choi Ga-on secure a gold medal in snowboarding, noted the need for dedicated venues during a recent dinner invitation at the Blue House. Similarly, bronze medalist Yoo Seung-eun emphasized that having a proper place for winter practice is crucial for the development and success of future athletes. Choi reaffirmed his commitment to elevating athletes’ aerial techniques to world-class standards and stressed that appropriate facilities should be established in South Korea.

The Jeongseon Alpine Center, initially used during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, is currently neglected, overgrown with shrubbery due to past decommissioning plans. Reports suggest that reverting it to its original condition would require substantial funding, exceeding 200 billion won. As discussions on improving its operational capabilities approach, including a press conference set for the 26th in Seoul, various stakeholders are expected to gather and deliberate on making the center an official training site for the national team, with scenarios for redevelopment of the facility put on the table to prepare for future Olympic events.