The city of Jeonju, South Korea, is intensifying its bid to host the Summer Olympics while simultaneously accelerating the development of key sports facilities, aiming to become a major sports hub in the country. Jeonju is focusing on a sustainable, culture-centric Olympic model aligned with IOC principles and has been actively engaged in promotional activities since being selected as a domestic candidate city by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. The city is leveraging citizen participation through initiatives like the 'Jeonju Olympic Bid Citizen Support Committee' and strengthening international sports networks through visits to leading sports nations. A 'Hanamjeilmun Complex Sports Town' is under construction, featuring an indoor stadium, athletics stadium, baseball field, and international swimming pool. Jeonju aims to create a 'Cultural Olympics' model, combining culture and sports, and envisions leaving a lasting cultural legacy and boosting tourism.

The countdown to the Jeju National Games and the first National Para Games has officially begun with the lighting of a promotional tower. The event, held at Jeju World Cup Stadium, featured the unveiling of the tower, the appointment of actors Jin Se-yeon and shooter Oh Ye-jin as promotional ambassadors, and the launch of a citizen support committee and volunteer group. The games are expected to generate significant economic benefits for Jeju, with plans to utilize digital technology, including NFT ticketing and AI-based broadcasting, to attract visitors. Jeju aims to leverage the games and subsequent national competitions through 2028 to revitalize tourism and the local economy.

Korean professional baseball saw record-breaking attendance, exceeding 12.3 million fans. The LG Twins secured their second consecutive championship, while the Hanwha Eagles reached the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years, led by MVP Cody Ponce, who has since joined the MLB. In a surprising turn of events, Ryu Seung-min, a former Olympic table tennis champion, defeated Kee Heung LEE to become the new president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KOC), promising reforms including term limits and modernized elections. Volleyball star Kim Yeon-kyung concluded her illustrious career with a championship and MVP awards. Finally, Hyundai Capital achieved a historic treble, winning the cup, regular league, and championship series.

South Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choi Hui-young, presented a comprehensive plan outlining ten key initiatives to solidify the nation's position as a cultural powerhouse and accelerate the global expansion of K-culture. The plan, endorsed by President Lee Jae-myung, focuses on strengthening the foundation for cultural growth, nurturing K-culture industries, and expanding its reach worldwide. Key areas include supporting artistic creation, promoting regional cultural exchange, enhancing national museums (with a focus on digitalization), and bolstering K-pop, film, gaming, webtoons, and other cultural exports. The government also aims to attract 30 million foreign tourists by 2029 and address issues like ticket scalping and illegal content distribution through legislative measures and enhanced enforcement. Furthermore, reforms within sports organizations, including limitations on leadership terms and the introduction of electronic voting, are planned.

The K League is grappling with a significant increase in refereeing errors and a perceived lack of communication regarding those errors. Former FC Seoul player Jesse Lingard highlighted issues with refereeing during his time in the league. Despite record-breaking attendance, the league has been plagued by controversial calls, leading to frustration among players, coaches, and fans. Current regulations restrict criticism of referees, and the Korea Football Association (KFA) has been criticized for its lack of transparency in addressing these issues. A recent parliamentary inquiry revealed a dramatic increase in officiating errors, prompting calls for significant reforms, including improved training, transparency, and communication with fans. The KFA has pledged improvements for the upcoming season.