'Judo Hero' Ha Hyeongju Appointed as Chairman of Korea Sports Promotion Foundation

"Leading Sports Welfare and Industry Growth with Experience and Expertise"

Hyung-joo Ha (62), a former judoka and gold medalist at the 1984 LA Olympics, has been appointed as the chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon (left) is taking a commemorative photo after presenting the appointment certificate to Ha Hyung-joo, Chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, at the conference room of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul on the 18th.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

On the 18th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced, "He is regarded as the right person to lead the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, possessing field experience and expertise in sports, as well as administrative, organizational, and management skills." This appointment was made through a process based on the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, involving an open recruitment procedure, a screening process by a nomination committee composed of experts from the sports, management, and legal sectors, and finally the president's appointment upon the recommendation of the MCST minister.

On the same day, MCST Minister Yoo In-chon presented the appointment letter to the new chairman Ha at a meeting room in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Chairman Ha won the gold medal in the men's 95 kg judo category at the 1984 LA Olympics. The first time Korean judo won Olympic gold was at the same event, with Ha winning the men's 95 kg and Ahn Byung-geun winning the men's 71 kg category.

Hyung-joo Ha, standing on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's 95kg judo category at the 1984 LA Olympics.
[Photo by Korea Sports Council]

Born in Jinju, Gyeongnam, Chairman Ha graduated from Busan Sports High School and Dong-A University. After retiring, he served as a professor in the Department of Physical Education at Dong-A University and was appointed as the standing auditor of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation in August last year, where he has been active since.

Minister Yoo said, "The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation is an important institution that fosters national sports promotion projects and the sports industry through the creation and management of the National Sports Promotion Fund," adding, "We hope the new chairman will leverage his extensive experience and expertise in the sports field to achieve growth in sports welfare and the sports industry."

Chairman Ha's inauguration ceremony is scheduled to be held on the 20th at the Seoul Olympic Parktel. His term will last until November 17, 2027.