"Even Park Ji-sung, the greatest of them all, will lose strength if he fights alone..." K-leaguer turned politician Im Min-hyeok urges, "Footballers and fans must join forces."

*This content was translated by AI.

"When seniors inside wield their swords, we outside must become a sturdy shield and provide legitimacy for them; only then can true innovation occur."

Im Min-hyeok (32), a politician who previously played professional football in the K League, urged that continued interest from footballers and fans is essential for the 'K-Football Innovation Committee,' launched under the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Im Min-hyeok recently wrote on his social media (SNS), "I heard news that the 'K-Football Innovation Committee' has been launched under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Many figures we trust most, such as Chairman Park Ji-sung, and seniors like Lee Young-pyo and Park Ju-ho, who have constantly voiced concerns about contradictions on the ground, have joined in large numbers. As one of the footballers, I sincerely welcome them and believe that this time they will finally complete long-standing reforms."

He continued, "Even if excellent individuals enter inside, the invisible resistance from the existing power cartel will be far greater than imagined. Even Chairman Park Ji-sung, the greatest of them all, cannot help but lose strength if left to fight alone inside. Therefore, we who are outside—footballers on the ground and fans seeking change—must join voices and gather strength. When seniors inside wield their swords, we outside must become a sturdy shield and provide legitimacy for them; only then can true innovation occur."

Im Min-hyeok is a politician who played in the K League for Jeonnam Dragons, Daejeon Citizen, and Cheonan City FC before retiring in 2024 and entering politics. Previously, he argued that "the Korean football community is experiencing a crisis of a pathetic level" and proposed establishing an innovation committee within the Korea Football Association (KFA) to uproot cancerous old habits through innovation rather than mere reform, even submitting specific regulatory proposals. Later, news emerged that an innovation committee led by the government, not the KFA, would be launched.

He stated, "I had proposed establishing an innovation committee with full authority within the football association and submitted specific regulatory plans. Therefore, as one of the footballers, I honestly feel a bit bitter and regretful that our football community's chronic problems must ultimately be resolved not by the hands of footballers themselves but under government leadership." However, he added, "Although there is still a long road ahead, we applaud the establishment of the K-Football Innovation Committee, which was created without ignoring the people's will for innovation. I look forward to it achieving good results."

Previously, on the 6th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held its first meeting alongside the launch ceremony of the K-Football Innovation Committee. The committee was formed with participation from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young; Park Ji-sung, a member of the FIFA sub-committee; commentators Lee Young-pyo and Park Ju-ho; Korea Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min; Kim Seung-hee, former executive director of the KFA; Cho Yeon-sang, secretary-general of the Korea Professional Football League; lawyer Yoo Young-geun; Kim Dae-hui (Prof.); and other sports industry officials and experts.

It was initially reported that the committee would operate under a co-chair system with Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) and Park Ji-sung, but on the first day of the meeting, Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) resigned, and Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korea Olympic Committee, took over the role. The government is interpreted to have taken the stance that while it will provide a platform for discussion, substantial reform measures must be carried out within the sports community itself.

The innovation committee spent about two hours brainstorming from the first day. After the meeting, Chairman Park Ji-sung met with reporters and said, "We discussed reforms to the governance of the Korea Football Association and a future vision for sustainable football development. Regarding governance, all members agreed that elections must be held through democratic procedures involving many footballers to restore public trust. Under the serious recognition that the current system is insufficient, the association decided to proactively request consultations with the Korea Olympic Committee by actively accepting the committee's discussion points. Going forward, the innovation committee plans to meet once a week to discuss governance and future visions."

He further added, "(The innovation committee) does not have binding authority. There is no mandatory power forcing the KFA to implement its recommendations. Since it is not an organization under the KFA, its role is primarily advisory. However, given the presence of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Olympic Committee, we can provide administrative support and offer helpful assistance by actively cooperating to move in a positive direction." He concluded, "In the current situation, the role of the innovation committee is to point the way in the right direction and help restore the broken trust system even slightly. When the next chairperson proceeds with administrative procedures, we will play a role in helping them take the initial steps so that fans can believe, 'Now the association can change.'"

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*This content was translated by AI.