Suspension of Football Association President Election... Court Grants Injunction Citing "Serious Procedural Violations"

The court ruled that there were significant procedural violations in the Korea Football Association (KFA) presidential election process and granted a provisional injunction to prohibit the election on the 7th. Accordingly, the KFA presidential election scheduled for the 8th is expected to be halted.

Seoul Central District Court, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the legal community on the day, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 50 (Chief Presiding Judge Im Hae-ji) issued a ruling in favor of candidate Heo Jeong-mu's provisional injunction request to prohibit the KFA presidential election against the Korea Football Association. The court stated, "There are significant procedural violations that severely undermine the fairness of the election and are recognized to have influenced the election process."

In particular, the court pointed out that the majority of the electorate was formed through a lottery procedure whose transparency and fairness could not be verified. Furthermore, it explained that the individuals appointed as members of the election management and operation committee were not disclosed, making it impossible to confirm whether the committee was constituted in accordance with the articles of association and election management regulations. The court also anticipated a high likelihood of subsequent disputes regarding the validity of the election if it were to proceed under these conditions.

The candidates for the next KFA president include the incumbent president Chung Mong-gyu, who is seeking a fourth term, candidate Heo, and commentator Shin Moon-sun. The election attracted attention as it was the first primary in 12 years. Candidate Heo filed the provisional injunction on the 30th of last month, claiming the election was being conducted unfairly. With the court's approval, the election scheduled for the 8th is expected to be canceled.