Chairman Park Jisung: "Regulation on 60-Day By-Election for Football Association President to Be Revised... Sufficient Time Needed"

Innovation Committee: "Election System Reform with Sufficient Time"
Discussion on Youth Development Also Held... Will Not Attend National Assembly Hearing

Jisung Park, Co-Chair of the K-Football Innovation Committee, announced on the 13th that the current regulation requiring a by-election to be held within 60 days in the event of a vacancy in the presidency of the Korea Football Association will be revised. The intention is to ensure sufficient time for deliberation and preparation in selecting the next president of the Korea Football Association, who will lead the future of Korean football.

After the 2nd meeting of the K-Football Innovation Committee, which took place at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Park stated, "The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has decided to revise the regulation for member sports organizations, which currently stipulates that a new president must be elected within 60 days in the event of a vacancy. We will also provide institutional support to allow for an extension of the election deadline in case of unavoidable circumstances." Park explained that the reason for revising the rule on holding a by-election within 60 days is "to create an election framework that allows more time and enables the selection of a president through proper procedures."

Jisung Park, Chairman of the K-Football Innovation Committee, explains the results of the meeting after the 2nd meeting of the K-Football Innovation Committee held on the 13th at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Former Korea Football Association President Mong-gyu Chung submitted his resignation on the 6th. According to current regulations, the Korea Football Association is required to elect a new president by early September. The Innovation Committee has determined that a 60-day period is insufficient to overhaul the election system and thoroughly vet appropriate candidates.

Park stated, "This measure will not only apply to the Korea Football Association but also to various sports organizations, such as the Water Ski Association, the Jiu-Jitsu Association, and the Modern Pentathlon Federation, all of which have experienced unstable situations due to presidential vacancies lasting more than 60 days. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee will begin the regulation revision process on the 14th and aims to complete it within this month." He added that once the regulation revision by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is finalized, the Korea Football Association will amend its articles of association accordingly and prepare improvements to the election system for discussion at the next Innovation Committee meeting.

Park also revealed that, in addition to issues regarding the regulations of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the articles of association of the Korea Football Association, the committee reviewed additional agenda items for future discussions, such as measures to nurture youth players.

However, Park clarified that the method for electing the president of the Korea Football Association and the issue of expanding the electoral college were not discussed at this meeting. He explained that revising the regulation regarding the election deadline was prioritized, so the electoral college issue was not addressed. He added, "The matter of the electoral college should be discussed after the regulation on holding a by-election within 60 days is revised," and emphasized, "There has been no definitive discussion on what measures will be taken regarding the electoral college."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-young Choi and Co-Chair of the K Football Innovation Committee Jisung Park are holding the 2nd meeting of the K Football Innovation Committee on the 13th at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The current presidential election for the Korea Football Association is held through an indirect election system, in which an electoral college of no fewer than 100 and no more than 300 members participates. In last year's presidential election, approximately 192 members of the electoral college cast their votes. However, given that there are about 150,000 registered football players and 20,000 coaches, there have been ongoing concerns that the opinions of the football community are not sufficiently reflected. While expanding the electoral college has been raised as a necessity, issues such as increased election costs and burdens of management remain challenges that need to be addressed.

Park stated, "We are pursuing measures to allow for broader participation by the electoral college," but added, "Whether this can be implemented from the upcoming Korea Football Association presidential election will depend on various circumstances, including time and manpower." He further noted, "Since the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has been discussing the issue of the electoral college for a year and a half, it is necessary to review the matter based on the discussions that have taken place so far."

Park also announced that he will not attend the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing scheduled for the 22nd. He stated, "There is nothing I can contribute to the hearing regarding the work of the Football Association," and added, "I have determined that there is no particular reason for me to attend the hearing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.