Parents' Love for Volleyball Continues! Three Key Words for Lee Ho-jin, New KOVO President: "Fun, Ecosystem, Exchange" [Hannam-dong Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ho-jin (64), president of the Korea Volleyball Federation, expressed his ambition to carry forward the legacy of volleyball love from previous generations.

The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) held its presidential inauguration and handover ceremony on the 3rd at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Cho Won-tae (50), the 8th president of KOVO, concluded his nine-year term and handed over the position to President Lee Ho-jin.

President Lee Ho-jin, well known to volleyball fans as the owner of the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders, was appointed as the 9th president through the KOVO board meeting on April 28. His term runs for three years from July this year until 2028, and he will also oversee league sponsorships for the upcoming 2026–2027 season.

At a press conference before his inauguration, President Lee Ho-jin said, "I have closely followed the professional volleyball scene for a long time and confirmed the potential and value of volleyball. Now, as president, I intend to fulfill my role with a sense of responsibility for the development of the entire V-League and the future of Korean volleyball. Professional volleyball has established itself as a winter sport cherished by many fans."

"Moving forward, we will work steadily to enhance league competitiveness, develop players, expand the sport's base, strengthen international competitiveness, and lay a solid foundation for the future. To achieve this, I will listen closely to voices from the field. Together with teams, athletes, coaches, referees, media, and fans, we will lead the development of volleyball in Korea. We will do our utmost to create a V-League that is more trusted and loved, worthy of the love and support from all fans," he shared his thoughts upon taking office.

When asked about his motivation to take on not only the role of team owner but also president of the federation, President Lee Ho-jin cited the love for volleyball inherited from his parents. "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility and mission as I took over during a very difficult period for Korean volleyball. Our group has been closely associated with volleyball for a very long time. My father, Lee Im-yong (Chairman), served as president of the Industrial Volleyball Federation and founded the Taegwang Industry volleyball team. That team eventually developed into today's Heungkuk Life volleyball team," he explained.

He continued, "My mother established Sehwah Academy and founded volleyball teams at both Sehwah Middle School for Girls and Sehwah High School for Girls. I believe their love for volleyball has been passed down to me, becoming the reason why I love and am interested in volleyball. I think they were deeply devoted to the development of Korean volleyball and their love for the sport. Carrying on their legacy, I will do my utmost to contribute to the development of Korean volleyball, just as they did."

When asked about three key words for advancing volleyball, he highlighted "fun," a sustainable volleyball ecosystem, and exchange. President Lee Ho-jin stated, "I want to create fun volleyball. Only then can we attract more spectators, make it an even more enjoyable winter sport, and develop it further into a cultural phenomenon. The federation is reportedly developing an AI-based judgment system; if decisions are made quickly, it could enhance the fun factor. Additionally, the current volleyball schedule has some inconsistencies, so I am considering how to better assign weekend games."

As someone directly involved in operating school volleyball teams, President Lee Ho-jin expressed strong interest in expanding the sport's base. "It is a major problem that school volleyball teams are continuously disappearing and the number of players is decreasing. If we keep eliminating them, there will be no place for volleyball to exist. We must find ways to connect with other amateur sports such as academy volleyball and industrial volleyball to improve and develop the skills of volleyball players. This will enhance Korea's international competitiveness in volleyball and allow us to create even more enjoyable volleyball."

He added, "We also need to increase exchanges. I hope more Korean players go abroad. At the same time, I wish more foreign players come to Korea, and that there is greater exchange among leagues, schools, and volleyball teams."

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*This content was translated by AI.