South Korea is currently plotting a return to the F1 calendar with a street race in Incheon, but the country already has a purpose-built road course lying dormant in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province.
Plans to build the Korea International Circuit were announced in 2009, with the initial schedule touting a completion date of July 2010.
The track was the brainchild of the divisive German Hermann Tilke, who settled on a part permanent, part temporary layout.
There were initially fears that the Korean Grand Prix would not get off the ground.
The official opening date was pushed back to September 2010, and the FIA track inspection was pushed back until 11 October, just 11 days before FP1 was scheduled for the inaugural event.
Fortunately for organisers, race director Charlie Whiting labelled the track ‘satisfactory’ following a two-day inspection, and the Korea International Circuit received the required license to host its first F1 race.
The event was won by Fernando Alonso, who capitalised on Sebastian Vettel’s engine failure to ignite the title battle with just two races remaining.
However, only 80,000 spectators watched on in the 135,000-capacity venue, signalling a worrying start for the Korean GP.
The following three races were all won by Vettel, but interest in the event continued to wane.
Organisers had overestimated the local interest in the sport, and the Korean International Circuit’s location was far from conducive to attracting large audiences, as Yeongam is situated over 200 miles away from the capital city, Seoul.
While organisers had signed a seven-year contract with F1 to host the race, with an option of five extra seasons, only four races were ever run.
In 2014, the £300million circuit was named on the provisional calendar but ultimately dropped, and the same was true in 2015.
Since F1 left in 2013, the Korea International Circuit has slipped into obscurity.
Several Asian racing series have competed at the track since, such as the Asian Formula Renault Series, the GT Asia Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Still, even these categories have left the circuit behind.
In 2024, only one series used the £300m facility. The obscure Superrace Championship completed two rounds of its calendar at the Korea International Circuit, but with South Korea targeting a new F1 event in Incheon, the chances of seeing notable racing series return to Yeongam are slim.
