'Resignation' Jeong Mong-gyu, Not Leaving the Football World... Still 'Representative of Korean Football' at FIFA and AFC

*This content was translated by AI.

Former President Jeong Mong-gyu, who said he would "return as a passionate football fan to support Korean football," will retain his positions at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He is not completely leaving the football world; for now, he remains the representative of Korean football in the international football community.

According to reports from the football community on the 9th, Jeong Mong-gyu will retain his positions as Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Standing Committee and Executive Member of the AFC despite resigning as President. His terms are until 2029 and 2027, respectively. Jeong Mong-gyu was elected as an AFC Executive Member in May 2024 and as Vice-Chairman of the AFC Member Associations Committee in August of that year. Furthermore, he was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Commercial and Marketing Advisory Committee last October.

Jeong Mong-gyu submitted his resignation letter after holding his final executive meeting on the 6th. According to the bylaws of the Korea Football Association (KFA), his resignation is confirmed immediately upon submission of the resignation letter. However, it was reported that regardless of his resignation as President, he can continue to fulfill his roles at FIFA and AFC until the end of their respective terms. At least until 2029, Jeong will continue to make his presence felt in the football world.

Criticism is inevitable. There are criticisms about whether it is appropriate for former President Jeong Mong-gyu, who effectively "retired in disgrace" without completing his term, to still represent Korean football and voice opinions in the international football community. Furthermore, concerns may arise that he will continue to exert influence on Korean football even after resigning as KFA President. Conversely, there could be counterarguments that it is necessary to maintain his roles within FIFA and AFC at least for now to preserve international football influence.

Jeong Mong-gyu, who succeeded in securing a fourth term with an overwhelming 85.6% approval rating in February last year, issued a statement in May ahead of the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying, "I am well aware that there have been various controversies and criticisms during my tenure as head of the Football Association. I believe all of this is due to my own lack of virtue," and announced, "I intend to step down from the position of KFA President after this World Cup ends."

At that time, it was reported that Jeong Mong-gyu would submit his resignation letter after the conclusion of the North American World Cup. However, when Hong Myung-bo's team was eliminated in the group stage, a fierce backlash ensued, leading him to ultimately submit his resignation letter on the 6th, earlier than planned. At that time, he said, "During my tenure as President, I ran with the sole hope of seeing the development and glory of Korean football. Sometimes I met expectations, and sometimes I brought deep disappointment." He concluded with a final brief farewell message: "All glory and achievements belong to the players and fans, and all shortcomings and faults are entirely my responsibility," putting an end to his 13 years and five months as President.

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*This content was translated by AI.