Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) on March 12 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul's Guro-gu District inspects overall preparation for the upcoming Seoul Series of the U.S. Major League Baseball. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

By Xu Aiying
Photos = Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is fully prepared to host from March 20-21 the country's first Major League Baseball (MLB) of the U.S. to open the latter's regular season in the capital.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on March 12 visited Gocheok Sky Dome, the venue of the Seoul Series in the city's Guro-gu District, to inspect fan safety preparation and overall crowd management. He also looked at renovated facilities to maximize player performance in an optimal environment.

With over 100,000 domestic and foreign fans expected to fill the stadium and vicinity over the two games, the city and Seoul Facilities Corp. formed a cooperative system with related bodies such as Guro-gu Office and the police and fire departments to support on-site safety management, crowd control and emergency rescue.

During both games, MLB will add 400 safety personnel, triple the number for a regular game, in and out of the stadium to ensure fan safety, especially maintaining order on the field, with heightened ID and security checks to prepare for emergency.

Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul's Guro-gu District has undergone renovation.

Opened nine years ago, the Gocheok stadium recently underwent renovation to boost player game performance in the best environment.

In collaboration with MLB Ground Keeper, the stadium's artificial turf was completely replaced. International standards for shock absorption (G-max) and flatness were reflected and the grass on the field was changed from one color to two.

Facilities such as locker rooms and the cafeteria were also revamped to ensure peak player condition for games. The improvement of the skybox and installation of a photo zone and green garden around the stadium are expected to result in a more comfortable viewing experience for fans.

"MLB and Korean baseball have begun full-fledged exchanges, and I hope that the games go well and that MLB hosts the Seoul Series every year to open the regular season," Mayor Oh said. "Because this event will draw crowds all at once, we will do our best to manage spectators as they enter and leave to ensure perfect games with no safety issues."

xuaiy@korea.kr