Taebaek Speedway (MJ Taebaek Circuit)
Taebaek Speedway (MJ Taebaek Circuit) at a glance
- Location
- Taebaek, Gangwon Province (강원도, Gangwon-do)
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 2.5 km (1.553 mi)
- Turns
- 10
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 2002
- Owner
- Seco Seojin Industrial (subsidiary)
- Capacity
- 3,500
- Address
- 372 Gumoonso-dong
- Phone
- +82 33 581 3012
- Website
- taebaekspeedway.com
Track map and layout
Taebaek Speedway sits in a mountain valley in Gangwon Province on land reclaimed from a former zinc and lead mine's sludge overspill area, giving the venue a dramatic backdrop despite a largely flat 2.500 km, 10-turn layout. It was South Korea's first FIA-recognised circuit and the country's second-oldest permanent racing venue after Everland Speedway, though it has changed hands and names several times since opening. No named corners have been verified from available sources.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full circuit | 2.50 km | 2.500 km, 10 turns; the only configuration in regular use since 2002 |
Events and race weekends
In its early years the circuit hosted major international support categories including the Asian Touring Car Series, Formula BMW Asia and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003-2005), and was a Superrace Championship venue from 2009 to 2014. Financial difficulties and a change of ownership took the venue out of national championship rotation; since reopening under Seco Seojin in 2019 it has hosted track days, manufacturer events, testing programmes and the newer Taebaek Track Festival, though it does not currently appear on the major Korean national series calendars.
Getting there and parking
Taebaek is a small mountain city in eastern Gangwon Province with no major airport or high-speed rail connection nearby; visitors generally drive or take an intercity bus from Seoul, Wonju or Gangneung, a journey of several hours through mountainous terrain.
- Yangyang International Airport (YNY)
Taebaek's mountain location means winter driving conditions can be difficult; check weather and road conditions before travelling outside the warmer months.
Hotels and camping near Taebaek Speedway (MJ Taebaek Circuit)
Taebaek is a small city with limited hotel supply compared with larger Gangwon destinations; visitors typically stay in Taebaek itself for basic lodging or base further out in Gangneung or Wonju, which offer a wider range of accommodation within a longer drive.
Where to look
Taebaek city centre (basic, limited supply); Gangneung or Wonju for a wider hotel choice, at a greater distance.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Since reopening under new ownership in 2019, the circuit's activity has centred on track days, manufacturer testing and events such as the Taebaek Track Festival rather than a full national championship calendar; no dedicated public tourist-lap operator was verified.
Spectator guide
The venue's grandstand capacity of around 3,500 reflects its scale as a club and testing-focused circuit rather than a major national venue; spectator facilities are modest.
Seating
Grandstand seating for roughly 3,500 near the pit straight.
Weather
- Dec-Feb: cold mountain winters with snow, among the coldest in South Korea's lowlands
- Jun-Aug: milder summer conditions than lowland Korea due to elevation, highs typically around 24-28°C
History of Taebaek Speedway (MJ Taebaek Circuit)
South Korea's first FIA circuit
Taebaek's circuit was built on land donated to Taebaek City that had formerly served as a sludge overspill area for one of Korea's largest zinc and lead mines, an unusual industrial origin for a racetrack. A consortium of Otu Resort and MJD World developed the roughly 30-billion-won facility, which opened on 16 October 2002 as South Korea's first FIA-recognised circuit and only the country's second permanent racing venue after Everland Speedway.
Financial troubles and changing hands
The circuit's early promise was undercut by financial instability. By December 2004, developer MJD World faced insolvency, and the facility was sold at auction to KT Construction, which invested further to upgrade it. Despite hosting international support categories such as the Asian Touring Car Series, Formula BMW Asia and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in its first few years, and later becoming a Superrace Championship venue from 2009 to 2014, further financial difficulties saw creditors take over operations in March 2014.
Reopening as Taebaek Speedway
Seco Seojin Industrial, through a subsidiary, acquired the circuit later in 2014, but a five-year legal dispute delayed matters until the venue reopened in 2019 rebranded as Taebaek Speedway, having previously been known as Taebaek Yunyong Circuit and then Taebaek Racing Park. Since reopening, activity has focused on track days, manufacturer testing programmes and events such as the Taebaek Track Festival rather than a return to the major national championship calendar, though there remains hope locally that larger domestic series will eventually return.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taebaek Speedway still open?+
Yes, it reopened in 2019 under new ownership (Seco Seojin Industrial) after a period of financial and legal difficulty, and currently hosts track days, manufacturer events and the Taebaek Track Festival.
How long is the circuit?+
The full circuit is 2.500 km (1.553 miles) with 10 turns.
Why is it also called MJ Taebaek Circuit?+
MJD World was the original development partner behind the circuit's construction; the venue has been known at various times as Taebaek Yunyong Circuit, Taebaek Racing Park and, since 2019, Taebaek Speedway.
Does the circuit still host major racing series?+
Not currently. It hosted Asian Touring Car Series, Formula BMW Asia and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia rounds in the early 2000s and was a Superrace Championship venue from 2009 to 2014, but has not returned to major national championship rotation since reopening in 2019.
How do you get to Taebaek Speedway?+
There is no nearby major airport or rail link; visitors generally drive or take an intercity bus from Seoul, Wonju or Gangneung through Gangwon Province's mountainous terrain.
Other tracks nearby
- Inje Speedium · 121 km · road course
- Korea International Circuit · 351 km · road course
- Mine Circuit · 377 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Autopolis International Racing Course · 473 km · road course
- Okayama International Circuit · 526 km · road course
- Suzuka Circuit · 721 km · road course
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.