February 27 – Chung Mong-gyu has secured a fourth term as president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), winning despite recent public dissatisfaction and strong competition from two prominent challengers.
Chung faced opposition from Huh Jung-moo, who coached the national team at the 2010 World Cup, and Shin Moon-sun, a former player and television commentator. He garnered 156 out of 183 votes from the regional officials, players, referees, and coaches who made up the electorate.
“This election saw widespread participation from the football community across the nation,” said Chung, a former FIFA Council member. “I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility and will strive to fulfil my promises and work diligently for the betterment of the sport.”
Chung’s decisive victory comes amid criticism over the past few years. The 63-year-old, who initially took office in 2013 and is a member of the Hyundai family and chairman of its real estate division, has faced scrutiny for allegedly circumventing standard KFA hiring procedures to appoint Jurgen Klinsmann as head coach in February 2023.
Klinsmann’s tenure lasted barely a year, as the German was dismissed following South Korea’s defeat to Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Cup last year. Additionally, he was criticized for pardoning former players who had received lifetime bans for match-fixing.
Chung’s new four-year term begins immediately and he will oversee the completion of the construction of the new national football headquarters in Cheonan.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1740682040labto1740682040ofdlr1740682040owedi1740682040sni@i1740682040tnuk.1740682040ardni1740682040mas1740682040
