The Korea Professional Football League (K League) has instructed its clubs to conduct safety inspections at their stadiums following a fatal accident at a baseball venue.
On Monday, the league asked all 26 teams in K League 1 and K League 2 to assess potential hazards and take preventive measures. Clubs were also urged to collaborate with local governments to ensure thorough safety checks.
“Stadium safety is a crucial part of the sports viewing experience,” a K League official stated. “We have asked all club officials to recognize the importance of safety management and cooperate accordingly.”
The league also called on its broadcasting partners to prioritize safety when operating camera cranes and trucks.
This move follows the tragic death of a baseball fan on Monday. She had suffered a severe head injury in an accident during a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) game on Saturday.
At Changwon NC Park, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, an aluminum panel fell from a height of 18 meters. The panel, installed outside a window of the NC Dinos’ office, struck the top of a concession stand before hitting the woman and her sister. The fan succumbed to her injuries two days later, while her sister sustained a broken collarbone.
In response, the KBO canceled Sunday’s game between the NC Dinos and the LG Twins to conduct safety inspections. Initially, the league planned to hold the three-game series between the Dinos and the SSG Landers behind closed doors, but on Monday, it decided to cancel the games entirely out of respect for the victim.
The KBO has designated the first three days of April as a mourning period. It also canceled four other games scheduled for Tuesday. While the remaining eight teams will resume play on Wednesday, cheering will not be allowed. Players will observe a moment of silence before the games and wear black ribbons to honor the victim.
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