Yoo Seungmin, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, reaffirmed his commitment to creating a fair and transparent sports environment as he shared his New Year’s resolution.
In his New Year’s address, released to the public to mark the beginning of 2026, President Yoo emphasized, "Establishing a fair and transparent sports environment that everyone can trust is the most important task."
To achieve this, President Yoo announced plans to improve the election system for the president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, while also continuing to promote a culture where athletes’ rights are respected.
He stated, "We will continue our efforts to improve the presidential election system of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee to reflect the evolving sports landscape," adding, "We will listen to diverse voices and build social consensus to ensure that the presidential election process is democratic and transparent, meeting the expectations of the public." He further noted, "With the launch of the new executive team following last year’s 42nd presidential election, we declared our vision of 'responsible change' and the slogan 'No Sports, No Future,' taking meaningful first steps. Above all, we prioritized establishing a fair system as our top objective, driving sustainable development in Korean sports and working to elevate Korea’s presence in the international sports community." He also pledged to continue campaigns to prevent violence in sports and to promote a culture of respect for human rights.
Regarding athlete development, he said, "We will strengthen support not only for national athletes but also for future national team members and student athletes," emphasizing, "By introducing a new development system that connects national athletes, reserve athletes, candidate athletes, and young prospects, we will broaden the base of elite athletes and focus on discovering promising talents who are the foundation of Korean sports."
Last month, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee opened the Korea Sport Talent Development Institute in Jangheung County, Jeollanam-do, the nation’s first comprehensive educational institution for cultivating sports talent, including athletes and coaches.
President Yoo explained, "We have established a platform where not only sports professionals but also the general public can build sports expertise and experience the value of sports firsthand," adding, "The Korea Sport Talent Development Institute will mark a new chapter in Korean sports education and serve as a crucial foundation for the sustainable future of Korean sports."
President Yoo stressed, "Ensuring that all citizens can enjoy sports is also an important task," and stated, "As a reliable sports partner for the public, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee will strive to create a society where everyone can enjoy health and vitality through sports." He added, "With the firm belief that there is no future without sports, we will strengthen the foundation of Korean sports based on the core values of 'fairness,' 'innovation,' 'trust,' and 'coexistence.'"
President Yoo noted that the red horse, symbolizing 2026, traditionally represents change, progress, and challenge. He emphasized that while last year was the starting point for change and innovation, this year will be the "Year of K-Sports," showcasing the status of Korean sports to the world.
He continued, "Starting with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February, followed by the World Baseball Classic in March, the FIFA World Cup in North and Central America in June and July, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September, and the Dakar Youth Olympic Games in November, five major international sporting events will be held in succession. We will make this the year of K-Sports, demonstrating the stature of Korean sports to the world."
He concluded, "The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee will spare no effort in providing comprehensive support so that our athletes can focus solely on their competitions and perform at their best. Through these efforts, we will widely promote the strength of Korean sports to the world and do our utmost to instill pride in the Korean people."
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