Spectators under Large Speakers Despite 'Fall Risk' Warnings

[Anchor]

Following a fatal accident last year where a spectator died at a professional baseball stadium in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the government conducted safety inspections across all stadiums. However, after obtaining and reviewing related documents, SBS has learned that despite pointing out defects such as the risk of speakers falling at some stadiums, no follow-up measures were taken.

This is an exclusive report by Kim Jin-u.

[Reporter]

In March of last year, a 20-something professional baseball spectator was killed at Changwon NC Park when she was struck by an aluminum structure that fell from the fourth-floor exterior wall of the stadium.

Afterward, the government conducted joint inspections of 12 professional baseball stadiums nationwide, and in December of last year, it delivered the issues found during the inspections to each baseball club and local government.

Three days ago at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

Spectators are constantly moving or sitting directly under the large speakers mounted beneath the outfield scoreboard.

Because so many spectators are gathered under these speakers, a fall could lead to casualties.

[Kim Chang-pyo / Seo-gu, Gwangju: If the speaker were to fall, since this is a passageway and there are a kids' zone and other areas around here, it seems dangerous.]

According to the government's "Professional Baseball Stadium Inspection Implementation Status Data" obtained by SBS, out of the 62 items the government pointed out to the Gwangju stadium, 10 items, including the speakers, were found to be unaddressed.

At the time of the safety inspection, the government expressed concern over the possibility of attached speakers falling and pointed out the need for measures such as restricting access to expected drop zones or installing fall-prevention nets, yet the club has postponed taking corrective actions until the end of the current season.

What about Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium?

It received 120 citations, and 22 of them, including "inadequate welding conditions of the steel structure in the outfield kids' zone," have not been implemented.

According to government verification, the implementation rates for the Gwangju and Sajik stadiums hovered in the early 80 percent range, about 10 percentage points lower than the overall average.

[Yoo Sang-bum / National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Member (People Power Party): It is very regrettable that safety-related measures remain incomplete. I strongly urge that safety measures be fully completed during the off-season.]

The Kia Tigers club stated, "We judged that the speakers were connected relatively securely, and we will review various reinforcement methods and take action after the postseason concludes." Meanwhile, the Lotte Giants club stated, "The work was delayed because we judged the risk to be relatively low, and we will complete repairs before next season."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Reported by Kim Jin-u | Video by Lee Seung-hwan, Bae Moon-san, and Lee Sang-hak | Video Editing by Nam Il | Design by Seo Hyun-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.