[The Editors' Verdict] Change in Korean Sports: Now Is the Time for Action

Winds of Change Sweeping Through Korean Sports
Now It Is Time for Football to Join

Head of Culture and Sports Team

Last year, badminton player An Se-young, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics while clutching her injured knee and battling through the court, made remarks that sent shockwaves through the Korean sports community. She stated, "My injury was more serious than expected, and I was disappointed with the national team's complacency," pointing out the team's negligence in management and systemic issues. This was not merely a personal complaint but a call for serious reflection on the hardships faced by athletes.

At the end of last year, the Korea Sports Council presidential election signaled significant change when Yoo Seung-min, known as the 'Athens Hero' and former president of the Table Tennis Association, defeated former president Lee Ki-heung. The unexpected result was more than a simple win or loss; it marked the beginning of structural changes in the sports sector. This wave of change was also evident in the Badminton Association. Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Korea Badminton Association, faced defeat in the election and had to confront dissatisfaction with the previous management style. His loss sent a message demanding fundamental reflection and change in the outdated operational methods of Korean sports. It clearly demonstrated the need for new leadership that meets the expectations of athletes. Signs of change are also emerging in the ice skating community. Amid long-standing factional disputes, former president Yoon Hong-geun stepped down, and Lee Soo-kyung, a former figure skating athlete and president of Sambo Motors PL Group, was elected as the new president of the Korea Skating Union, opening the possibility for internal reform.

Now, attention is turning to the Korea Football Association presidential election scheduled for the 26th of this month. Just as figures labeled as the 'old guard' in Korean sports have faced change, the fourth-term re-election of Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Football Association, is also under threat. Football fans are cold toward him due to his autocratic leadership and unprincipled management style. According to a Realmeter public opinion poll conducted among 1,002 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide (95% confidence level, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points), 61.1% of the public opposed Chung’s fourth-term re-election. The reasons cited for opposition included autocratic management (30.8%), incompetence and lack of principles in the executive team (27.1%), and issues in the coach appointment process (16%).

Legends of Korean football have long emphasized the need for change. They have warned that if Korean football continues on its current path, it will lose competitiveness and fall behind on the international stage. In particular, Koo Ja-cheol strongly pointed out, "There is no future if things continue like this," stressing the necessity of change, yet substantive reform has yet to be realized. It is now time to move beyond mere problem-raising or discussion and follow up with concrete actions and implementation. For the future of Korean football, realistic measures and proactive reform are essential, not just empty regrets and lamentations.

The transformation of Korean sports has now begun. The election of Yoo Seung-min as president and leadership changes in the Badminton Association demonstrate this trend. Now, Korean football must join this wave of change. It is time to break away from tradition and entrenched practices, face reality, and move boldly toward a more innovative and progressive direction.