Voting by 192 Electors Begins at 2 p.m.
KFA Presidential Election Held as a Competitive Race for the First Time in 12 Years
The election for the 55th President of the Korea Football Association (KFA) will take place on the 26th afternoon at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, Myongji University invited professor Shin Moon-sun, and former national team coach Huh Jung-moo (listed in alphabetical order) will each present their views for 10 minutes starting at 1 p.m., followed by a two-hour voting session from 2 p.m. with 192 electors. The electors consist of presidents of provincial football associations nationwide, CEOs of K League 1 clubs, presidents of national federations, and delegates, as well as players, coaches, and referees selected by lottery. If no candidate receives a majority in the first round, a runoff vote will be held from 4:50 p.m. to 6 p.m. to decide the next president.
On the 25th, one day before the 55th Korea Football Association presidential election, election-related banners were placed at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Originally, this election was scheduled for the 8th of last month. However, it was postponed after Huh Jung-moo filed an injunction to prohibit the election against the KFA, which was accepted by the Seoul Central District Court. The KFA re-announced the election date as the 23rd of last month, but Shin Moon-sun and Huh Jung-moo raised objections, causing another delay. The existing election committee, which had repeatedly faced disruptions, resigned en masse in a farcical turn of events. The football association presidential election, held as a competitive race for the first time in 12 years, has attracted nationwide attention. Especially as the golden generation, including Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae, forms the core, Korean football has struggled in international tournaments, and the administrative chaos within the KFA has come to light, increasing public interest in this election.
Above all, the main focus of this election is whether candidate Chung Mong-gyu will succeed in securing a fourth term. Having led the KFA since 2013, Chung has recently been involved in numerous controversies, including the surprise pardon of 100 football figures in March 2023 and unfairness allegations during the appointment processes of former coaches J?rgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo. He was also heavily criticized during last year's National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's urgent inquiries and audits. Promising to host the 2031 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup and the 2035 Women's World Cup, Chung said, "I consider this my last chance, and I will focus on diplomatic activities to raise international status as well as improving infrastructure such as football centers."
In this election, three candidates are running: the current chairman Chung Mong-gyu, who is seeking a fourth term; Heo Jeong-mu, former national team coach; and Shin Moon-seon, an invited professor in the Department of Sports Record Analysis at Myongji University's Graduate School of Record Information Science. Yonhap News
Candidates Shin Moon-sun and Huh Jung-moo, who advocate change, are aiming for a turnaround. Both have consistently criticized Chung Mong-gyu strongly and expressed their commitment to reform. Shin held frequent press conferences and actively campaigned through press releases. He also actively engaged with football figures and the media by visiting football sites. Shin, who called for improving the KFA's image and completing the Cheonan Football Center, said, "I challenged this election with the conviction that the era of chaebol chairmen must end. If Chairman Chung is defeated, reform and transformation can begin."
Huh, who was the first to declare his candidacy, also conducted active campaigning by visiting football players during their winter training to communicate with them. Huh emphasized that he would always play the role of a 'stepping stone.' Chung also focused on communication by visiting various football sites. Given the recent upsets in elections such as the 42nd Korea Sports Council president election and the university and women's football federation presidential elections, candidates Shin Moon-sun and Huh Jung-moo are also aiming for a last-minute upset. Promising systematic coach development and appointment systems and transparent association management, Huh said, "I will lay the foundation for Korean football to go global. I will change what needs to be changed and nurture what needs to be nurtured to create an association worthy of its name and football that truly represents the sport."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
