South Korean town Revitalized by High School Baseball Team
Yeongwol, South Korea – A high school baseball program is credited with reversing decades of decline in the once-ghost town of Yeongwol, South Korea, boosting its population for the first time in ten years and sparking economic recovery. The town, which once teetered on the brink of disappearing with a 97% population decrease, now sees a vibrant future thanks to the Sandon High School Baseball Club.
Founded in 2023, the club quickly attracted attention and talent. The program’s first professional player emerged this year, and for the next season, 30 applicants are vying for 15 roster spots, with many considering relocation to join the team. this influx of players and thier families has directly contributed to Yeongwol exceeding 1,000 residents – a milestone not seen in a decade. One family even relocated to the town specifically for their son to participate in the baseball program.
the economic impact is already visible.A new restaurant now provides daily meals for the team, and construction is underway to build housing for the growing population. Beyond baseball, the town is experiencing a broader resurgence, with Canadian resources company Almonti Industries exploring the potential to restart tungsten and molybdenum mining operations.
“The town is more vibrant than ever,” says Kim Soon-ae, 61, a longtime restaurant owner. “When the children see people passing by, they always greet them loudly. People are happy about that, especially as most of the residents here are elderly.”
The Sandon High School Baseball Club trains in a renovated gymnasium at Sandon High School,becoming a focal point for the town’s renewed hope and prosperity.
