Chairman Kim Nak-soon of the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) meets with Chief Operating Officer Soong Tze Ming of the Singapore Turf Club (STC) at the KRA headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on March 22. 

Chairman Kim Nak-soon of the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) met with Chief Operating Officer Soong Tze Ming of the Singapore Turf Club (STC) to discuss ways of promoting international cooperation. STC CEO Soong visited KRA Chairman Kim and congratulated the latter’s inauguration and discussed ways of promoting exchanges between the two countries.

They met at the KRA headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on March 22. 

STC, which is an agency under the jurisdiction of the Singapore government, has similarities to the KRA in terms of operation. It is committed of such corporate values as regional development, social contribution and fighting against illegal races. 

STC, which was given a green light on internet betting by the Singapore government, has managed to induce money channeled into illegal races to the legal market. The measure has boosted STC’s sales and tax payments, which have greatly contributed to increasing state revenues. 

Singapore is Korea’s first country to export racing horse races. KRA has been exporting racing horse races since June 2014 when it signed a contract with Singapore for the first time. 

In 2017, Singapore ranked 1st among importing counties by earning about 33.8 billion won in sales. 

STC CEO Soong stressed the importance of cooperation among racing horse institutions, saying that such efforts as the holding of international competitions serve as opportunities to make horse racing a sport. He lauded the rising standing of Korean races, which leads to boosting STC’s sales. He went on to say that STC is making smooth preparations for their participation in the 37th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) to be held in Seoul, from May 13 to May 18.

In February, KRA Chairman Kim met with Chairamn Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges of the Asian Racing Federation, currently CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, to discuss how to develop horse racing in Asia. 

The upcoming ARC will bring together about 30 racing horse entities, capping KRA’s efforts to enhance international cooperation. 

KRA Chmn. Kim’s Filed Management

KRA Chairman Kim has met with jockeys, horse trainers and other officials from horsing race entities to lend an ear to their voices on Jan. 20, one day after he took office as the 36th KRA chairman. He also met with Vice Chairman Lee Ki-hoe of the Korean Horse Racking Jockey Association.

In his inaugural speech, Chairman Kim said the KRA will be committed to abide to three principles attaching top priority to the public interest, trust, corporate environment to give words of encouragement to others, and transparent work process. Kim said he will devote himself to going to basics to be reborn as a public entity faithfully performing its establishment missions and regain its public trust. 

Cherry Blossom Festivals at Equestrian Parks 

Of late, equestrian parks Lets Run Park Seoul, Lets Run Park BusanGyeongnam ― have turned into must-see sightseeing spots that dram many people, including family members, in spring. A night cheery blossom festival lasted from April 7 to April 9 at the Lets Run Park Seoul.