Minister Hwee Young Choi Meets with Yoo Seungmin, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Emphasizes Fairness and Athlete Rights

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that Minister Hwee Young Choi met with Yoomin Yoo, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, at 10 a.m. on the 8th at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul to discuss current issues in the sports sector.

Minister Choi emphasized the importance of fairness in the management of sports organizations and the need to guarantee human rights without any blind spots. Minister Choi stated, "The public's interest and passion for sports are truly intense," and added, "Only when the management of sports organizations meets the expectations of the people and the rights of athletes and coaches are properly protected will the public be able to give even greater applause and joy to sports."

Minister Choi also expressed interest in elite sports, saying, "Elite sports are a source of national pride," and stressed, "I will work to improve ambiguous regulations and unreasonable restrictions so that sports organizations can work with confidence."

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Hwee Young Choi is meeting with Yoomin Yoo, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, on the 8th at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss current issues in the sports sector.
Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

In response, President Yoo mentioned the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's reform measures to ensure fairness, such as limiting executives to no more than two consecutive terms and improving the composition of the Sports Fairness Committee, expressing agreement with Minister Choi's views. President Yoo said, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee are like family," and added, "We will work together with the ministry to advance national sports."

President Yoo also pointed out that the number of students aspiring to become elite athletes is decreasing due to low birth rates and an aging population. He emphasized the need for strategic support to increase the number of elite athletes and to expand the foundation and environment conducive to training.

In response, Minister Choi stated, "I will pay close attention to expanding support for athletes and coaches to strengthen the competitiveness of elite sports," and requested, "Along with efforts to achieve good results at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, please also closely monitor for any human rights violations or irregularities affecting athletes."

Additionally, Minister Choi promised, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will communicate and cooperate with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee on issues facing the sports sector," and added, "We will create opportunities to listen to the voices of athletes and coaches in the field, and faithfully reflect their opinions in policy to build a nation where everyone enjoys sports."