▲ Starfield Cheongna construction site (January 2026)
Concerns have been raised that the dome stadium and the complex shopping mall Starfield Cheongna, currently under construction in Cheongna, Incheon, may face difficulties in opening as scheduled in 2028 due to delays in sewage pipeline construction.
Representative Heo Jong-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Gap in Incheon) released data obtained from Shinsegae Property, the developer and operator of Starfield Cheongna, and claimed, "The sewage pipeline construction has been halted due to administrative shortcomings by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ), causing setbacks in the project schedule."
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and Shinsegae had entered into a construction agreement to temporarily connect the sewage pipeline to the Gajwa Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, the issue reportedly arose when the initial estimated construction cost of 4 billion won doubled to 8 billion won following the design phase.
Representative Heo explained that while Shinsegae agreed to first use approximately 4 billion won, which is considered a private contribution for wastewater treatment facilities, to offset the costs, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority has been unable to secure the remaining 4 billion won in budget.
Representative Heo expressed concern that if the pipeline construction is not completed by September of next year, it would be inevitable to face setbacks in the plan to use the Cheongna Dome Stadium as the new home stadium for the SSG Landers in time for the 2028 professional baseball season following the completion of construction at the end of next year.
"It is difficult to understand why a project is being delayed because an administrative agency cannot resolve the issue of additional construction costs, while a private company is investing hundreds of billions of won to meet the construction schedule," Representative Heo said. "The city of Incheon must identify the cause and clarify where the responsibility lies."
(Photo: Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Yonhap News)
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