'3 billion won invested, yet operating rights stripped': Korea Tennis Association files lawsuit for return of 3 billion won after 10 years "Not seeking special privileges; merely asking that past promises be honored"

*This content was translated by AI.

An enormous investment of 3 billion won yielded only 80 million won in return. The Korea Tennis Association has now taken active measures after a decade.

On the 31st, the Korea Tennis Association held a press conference at the Seoul Press Center and announced that it filed a lawsuit seeking the return of approximately 3 billion won invested by the association after terminating its agreement with the Korea Military Academy regarding the 2015 remodeling of the academy's tennis courts (KMA Courts).

Attendees at the press conference included Ju Won-hong, President of the Korea Tennis Association; Park Sang-ki, legal advisor to the association; Kim Du-hwan, advisor to the association; Sung Ki-chun, President of the Korea Tennis Promotion Association; Kim Seok-chan, Secretary of the Jeju Provincial and City Tennis Association (Jeju Tennis Association President); and Oh Jung-seon, Vice President of the Senior League.

The association released a joint statement signed by 17 provincial and city tennis associations nationwide, six affiliated leagues, community sports organizations KATA and KATO, Jangho Tennis Foundation, So Kang-min Public Sports Foundation, and the Korea Disabled Tennis Association, among other relevant institutional investors.

The controversy dates back 11 years. In 2015, trusting the request of the Korea Military Academy and approval from the Ministry of National Defense, the association invested approximately 3 billion won in private capital to fully remodel 30 aging courts at the KMA Courts located administratively in Guri City. This public-interest investment aimed to improve the educational environment for cadets and expand the base of tennis participation, hailed as a "public-private-military win-win model." At the time, the association secured guarantees such as operating rights over the courts until it could recover its investment through a donation-in-kind arrangement.

However, this promise was completely nullified within just one year. In December 2016, only one year after the remodeling was completed, the Korea Military Academy canceled its approval of the donation-in-kind and unilaterally notified termination of the agreement, stripping the association of its operating rights. According to an association official, the revenue generated during this period amounted to only 80 million won; after deducting personnel costs for management staff, the actual amount was even smaller. The 80 million won represents less than 3% of the 3 billion won investment.

Subsequently, the association repeatedly attempted negotiations with the Korea Military Academy, but frequent personnel changes on the academy's side caused discussions to repeatedly return to square one, creating a vicious cycle. During this process, the association also faced a severe financial crisis as interest accrued on its private loans.

To resolve the issue amicably, the association employed every possible method. In December last year, it filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission but received a response from the academy stating it bore no responsibility for returning the investment funds. In May this year, it sent a formal notice to the academy pointing out the illegality of the contract termination and requesting the granting of operating rights, but has yet to receive any reply. The association stated, "We have determined that further negotiations are impossible, so we held this press conference to urge the Korea Military Academy and the Ministry of National Defense to take prompt and responsible action."

The KMA Courts hold significant meaning in the tennis world. With a total of 30 courts, they constitute the largest tennis facility in the Seoul metropolitan area. During the remodeling period, the site was expected not only to support domestic players' training and activate community sports but also to serve as a hub for sports diplomacy, hosting the 2016 Junior French Open Wildcard Final. In recent years, with the surge in tennis popularity, the inability to properly utilize this facility has significantly hindered efforts to expand the base of tennis participation.

Ju Won-hong, President of the Korea Tennis Association, emphasized, "What we are requesting is not special privilege but simply that past promises be honored. With the tennis boom continuing today, it was necessary to bring the KMA Tennis Court issue into public discourse. We hope the original intent of this win-win project, which began with the goodwill of tennis people, will be preserved."

Park Sang-ki, the association's legal representative, explained, "Reviewing the negotiation process over the years reveals many legally problematic aspects. It is questionable why an association that carried out facility remodeling for a national institution should suffer unilateral losses. Upon reviewing Supreme Court precedents, this action is extremely unjust; accordingly, as of August, we have filed a lawsuit seeking 3 billion won in damages against the state."

The association urged the Korea Military Academy and the Ministry of National Defense to "either return the investment funds or at least guarantee a legitimate opportunity for entrusted operation," calling for responsible action.

The statement released by the association includes the following demands: ▲ The Korea Military Academy and the Ministry of National Defense must immediately prepare appropriate measures for the return or compensation of approximately 3 billion won invested in the renovation of the KMA Tennis Courts; ▲ If monetary compensation is difficult, they must guarantee a substantial long-term entrusted operating opportunity to the Korea Tennis Association through lawful procedures; ▲ While ensuring that cadet education and training take priority, the KMA Tennis Courts should be opened for the development of promising young tennis players, various tournaments, and community sports participants and citizens nationwide who are struggling with a shortage of courts.

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*This content was translated by AI.