Sports Council Union "Request Chairman Lee Ki-heung Not to Run in Next Election"

Increased Budget and Improved Performance Praised
Criticism Grows Over Disappearing Communication and Rising Unofficial Influence
Request Made for Next President Not to Emerge
Appeal to Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to Refrain from Interfering in Sports Organizations

Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, is attending the National Assembly audit and responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 18th, the Korea Sports Council Labor Union issued a statement requesting the current president, Lee Ki-heung, not to run in the next presidential election scheduled for January next year. They also appealed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to refrain from excessive intervention in sports organizations and to participate sincerely in sports reform.

The Sports Council Labor Union evaluated, "During President Lee Ki-heung's 8-year tenure, the Sports Council's financial scale increased about 1.5 times from 270 billion won to 410 billion won based on the National Sports Promotion Fund. Major international sports events such as the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the 2022 Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics, and the 2027 Chungcheong Summer Universiade were successfully hosted, raising international prestige."

However, the union criticized, "These achievements were not solely due to President Lee Ki-heung's efforts but were possible thanks to the cooperation of many sportspeople and the dedication of the Sports Council members. Under President Lee's administration, democratic communication structures disappeared, and various unofficial influences, including special advisors whose appointment procedures and roles are unclear, became strong."

The union particularly explained the reason for requesting President Lee not to run again, stating, "At the town hall meeting between President Lee Ki-heung and union members on the 8th, his responses were hollow, failing to present concrete visions and policies."

Regarding the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the union asked, "In the name of advancing sports organizations, the ministry organized the integrated Korea Sports Council in 2016 by merging the Korea Sports Council and the Korea Sports for All Federation and took the lead in changing the Sports Council presidential election system, resulting in the election of President Lee Ki-heung. Has the ministry ever reflected on this?"

The union added, "While recognizing the necessity for the Korea Sports Council to faithfully fulfill its given responsibilities as a public institution and cooperate with government ministries, the Sports Council Labor Union is prepared to participate sincerely in genuine approaches to sports reform in Korea. However, if the ministry abuses its authority merely to create a 'compliant' Korea Sports Council organization, we will resolutely resist."