Seoul converts underused section of subway station into sports lounge

The Korea Times - Oct 30, 2026

Seoul has turned an underused underground subway concourse into a recreational hub where outdoor runners can change clothes and store gear before hitting nearby riverside trails, while park golf enthusiasts can play indoors regardless of the weather. The facility — the ninth in a municipal network curiously named "Fun Stations" — opened Friday on basement level 1 of Shinmokdong Station on Line 9, offering direct access to the adjacent Anyangcheon stream running paths. The facility, located near exits 1 and 2 on the station's basement level, features a 213-square-meter runner support area and a 228-square-meter indoor park golf center equipped with six screen-based hitting bays. The runner facilities include three changing rooms for men and women each, along with 14 lockers in each section, and are available free of charge. Lockers cost 3,000 won ($2.10) for four hours, while vending machines offer running essentials such as shower wipes and energy gels. The runner support area operates from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., covering subway service hours. The indoor park golf center operates from 8

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