Jeong Eui-sun, President of the Archery Association, "Our collective trust leads to great results"

Interview with Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group and President of the Korea Archery Association
"The association's role is to support athletes... Most grateful to the athletes"
'Archery Godfather' Chairman Chung also serves as a spiritual mentor in this tournament
Athletes express gratitude to the association for creating a fair competition foundation

"The important thing is the trust among the association, the athletes, and the staff. The results we prepared with mutual trust and one heart have led to today's achievements."

Jung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, responded this way regarding the driving force behind South Korea's archery success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chairman Jung said, "The Korea Archery Association and I (as the association president) only helped the athletes to perform as well as, or even better than, the efforts they put in," attributing the credit for this achievement to the athletes.

When asked about his expectations for the archery results at this Olympics, he said, "There are many strong countries in the US, Europe, and Asia," adding, "I was very nervous and did not expect such good results." He continued, "I am most grateful to our athletes for achieving all this by utilizing their own skills."

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (center, gray T-shirt) is cheering for the South Korean national team participating in the men's individual archery event at the Paris competition held on the 4th (local time).
[Photo by Korea Archery Association]

The South Korean national archery team made new history in the country's sports world by winning 5 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Since sweeping all four events at the 2016 Rio Olympics, South Korea secured gold medals in all five events this year, including the mixed team event. This is the first time in history that South Korea has swept gold medals in five archery events.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (center in the photo) is seen conducting an interview with reporters after the award ceremony for the men's individual archery event at the Paris competition on the 4th (local time).
[Photo by Korea Archery Association]

Hyundai Motor Group has sponsored the Korea Archery Association for 40 years since 1985, the longest period of sponsorship for a single sports organization in Korea. In particular, Chairman Jung, who serves as the president of the Korea Archery Association, is reported to have personally overseen the preparation process from before the opening of this tournament.

During President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to France last year, Chairman Jung accompanied the economic delegation and took time out of his busy schedule to check the situation in Paris in advance. He also arrived early before the opening ceremony to inspect the athletes' exclusive training facilities, rest areas, meals, and overall condition, ensuring support was in place.

Once the Olympics began, Chairman Jung watched all major matches among the crowd to cheer on the athletes. At the award ceremony where the women's archery national team achieved their 10th consecutive victory, he presented gifts to each athlete and offered his congratulations.

Chairman Jung is also reported to have played a role as a mental mentor as well as providing material support during this tournament. When the men's team final opponent was set as France, he encouraged the athletes by saying, "The home team is the final opponent, so it's natural that the opposing team has more supporters," and added, "Our athletes are more skilled, so they just need to maintain focus. Don't be intimidated and just do what you have been doing."

He also personally visited Jeon Hun-young, who narrowly missed a medal in the women's individual event, to offer words of encouragement. Throughout the tournament, Chairman Jung led the junior athletes and expressed gratitude to Jeon, who gave her best even in her own matches.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (center in the photo) and the South Korean national archery team are taking a commemorative photo on the 4th (local time) after the Paris competition, celebrating their sweep of all events.
[Photo by Korea Archery Association]

Thanks to such meticulous support, scenes were captured of athletes running to Chairman Jung after winning medals or mentioning him in interviews. Kim Woo-jin (Cheongju City Hall), who became the first male archer to win three gold medals, said, "The association president shows great interest and thinks about how South Korean archery can maintain its global status," and added, "The archery association has created a fair and clean system where everyone can compete on equal footing."

With South Korea's archery success at the Paris Olympics this year, Chairman Jung's speech at the Korea Archery 60th Anniversary event last December also gained attention. He said, "It's okay if the results do not meet expectations despite doing our best to prepare and check," and urged, "What is more important is to show the true image of a number one who never loses dignity and composure under any circumstances."