Yoo Seungmin, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: "We Will Establish a Fair and Transparent Sports Environment"

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 resolutions.

In his New Year's message released at the start of 2026, President Yoo emphasized, "The most important task is to establish a fair and transparent sports environment that everyone can trust."

To this end, President Yoo announced plans to improve the presidential election system of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and to continue fostering a culture that respects athletes' rights.

He stated, "We will continue our efforts to improve the presidential election system of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee to reflect the changing sports landscape," and added, "We will listen to diverse voices and build social consensus so that the presidential election can be conducted through democratic and transparent procedures that meet the expectations of the public." He went on to say, "Following the 42nd presidential election of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee last year, the newly inaugurated leadership has taken meaningful steps with the vision of 'responsible change' and the slogan 'No Sports, No Future.' Above all, we have made the establishment of a fair system our top priority to drive sustainable development in sports and to enhance the presence of Korean sports on the international stage." He also noted, "We will continue to run campaigns to prevent violence in sports and to promote a culture of respect for human rights."

Yoo Seungmin, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding athlete development, he said, "We will strengthen support not only for current national athletes but also for future national team members and student athletes," and added, "By introducing a new development system that connects national athletes, reserve national athletes, candidate athletes, and promising young athletes, we will broaden the elite athlete base 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-gun, Jeollanam-do, the nation's first comprehensive educational institution for sports talent, aimed at nurturing athletes, coaches, and other sports professionals.

President Yoo explained, "We have established a platform where not only sports professionals but also the general public can build specialized sports competencies and experience the true value of sports," and added, "The Korea Sport Talent Development Institute will mark a new milestone in Korea's sports education and serve as a crucial foundation for the sustainable future of Korean sports."

President Yoo also stated, "Making sports accessible and enjoyable for everyone is another important goal," and pledged, "As a reliable sports partner for the nation, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee will work to build a society where everyone can enjoy health and vitality through sports." He continued, "With the unwavering belief that there is no future without sports, we will strengthen the core values of 'fairness,' 'innovation,' 'trust,' and 'coexistence' to further solidify the foundation of Korean sports."

President Yoo noted that the red horse, symbolizing 2026, traditionally represents change, progress, and challenge. He stressed that while last year marked the beginning of change and innovation, this year will be the "Year of K-Sports," showcasing the stature of Korean sports to the world.

He said, "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 sports events will be held consecutively," and declared, "We will make this year the Year of K-Sports, demonstrating the global status of Korean sports."

He added, "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," and emphasized, "Through these efforts, we will widely promote the strength of Korean sports to the world and do our utmost to instill pride in the people of Korea."