Munsu Sports Complex

Built right out on the western fringes of the city is the Munsu Sports Complex, incorporating the majestic and modern Munsu Stadium – home of the Ulsan Hyundai Tigers soccer team. It is a fifteen-minute walk from the student friendly and buzzing district of Mugeodong.

The complex was built for the 2002 World Cup with the stadium’s design spec created to reflect Ulsan as an industrial city. Thus to some it should have a mechanic image. Yet at the same time these steel trusses imitate the natural whalebones of Ulsan Petroglyphs.

To most though it’s just an impressive, clean and modern soccer stadium.

Tickets are 8,000won for a game allowing you to sit anywhere except in the yellow area. And despite these attractive offers the stadium is never more than a quarter full. Its three floors, two basement floors and seating capacity of just over 44,000 makes it far too large for the kind of support the Tigers receive on a weekly basis. Far too large.

The away team for example usually has support numbering into the twenties. It’s tiny and a poor show.  Whole tiers sit eerily empty for games and one wonders how it is ever able to turn an operating profit. Further, it doesn’t help the cause when the standard of soccer on show is questionable.

But then the Hyundai Corporation owns the whole team.

Best sit in the green coloured section with the hardcore student supporters who dance and show crazy dedication for the team.

One bonus however for those real soccer fans is a world cup memorial hall built into the stadium, containing a number of items and photographs from any teams that came to the area for the World Cup. Brazil, Spain and Turkey all spent time training here and a number of signed items adorn the walls.

The main hall claims the dubious honour of having the world’s first mosaic made of ceramic tiles using photo images of the world cup.

However soccer isn’t the only event held at the stadium. For the 2006 World Cup the Korean national team games were screened drawing a spectacle of thousands upon thousands of fans decked out in their national colours. Outside live music and entertainment went on regardless of the time and result.

Once a year there is also the Ulsan Summer Festival, in August, that hosts a number of K-Pop acts. Popular, well attended and on national television it’s a big event for the city.

Be sure to check other facilities at the complex that include modern swimming pools, fitness rooms and leisure centre type sports. Even walking the ground and taking in the large picturesque lake can be a relaxing afternoons walk.

Getting there: From Ulsan Airport take the 1402, 402, 412, 442 or 452 to the stadium. From Ulsan station take the 401, 1104, 1114 or 1402. From the Intercity Bus Terminal take bus 401, 407, 1104, 1114 or 1402.