Chairman Park Ji-sung's surprise announcement: "Number of Football Association electors to exceed 10,000"

*This content was translated by AI.

• Current regulations for the electoral body state 'at least 100 but no more than 300 members'

Chairman Park Ji-sung announced that the number of electors participating in the upcoming Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) election will increase to over 10,000. Currently, the size of the electoral body for the Korea Football Association's Jeong Gwan-sang (Chairman) election is capped at a maximum of 300 members. In line with amendments to the Korean Olympic Committee, the number of electors for the Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) election will be increased by more than 30 times.

At a press briefing immediately after conducting the fourth meeting of the K-Football Innovation Committee at Seoul Hall in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th, Chairman Park Ji-sung stated, "We have considered adjusting the Football Association's electoral body by reflecting the characteristics of each sport based on the reform plan for the Korean Olympic Committee's presidential election electors. We decided to prepare a proposal that adjusts the number by adding professional leagues, industrial leagues, university leagues, and promotion/relegation systems according to the standards of the Olympic Committee. In this case, the recommended size (for the Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) electoral body) will exceed 10,000."

According to the current bylaws of the Korea Football Association, the presidential electoral body can be composed of 'at least 100 but no more than 300 members.' This includes representatives from regional football associations, Jeon Guk-yeon-maeng (CEO) delegates, as well as players or former players, referees, coaches, and amateur enthusiasts who hold voting rights as defined in the election management regulations. During last year's 55th Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) election when Chung Mong-koo was elected, the electoral body consisted of only 192 members. Elections for presidents of sports organizations such as the Korean Olympic Committee have traditionally been conducted through indirect elections, not just for the Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman).

However, criticism regarding the Lee Gat-eun (Chairman) election method has continued steadily. Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Olympic Committee, also pushed for electoral system improvements immediately after taking office. Ultimately, on the 16th, the Korean Olympic Committee passed an amendment at an extraordinary general assembly to increase its presidential electoral body from 2,200 to a staggering 92,000 members. This amendment will apply not only to the Korea Football Association but also to all sports organizations under the Olympic Committee. Each individual sports organization must adjust its own presidential electoral body based on the 'expansion of the electoral body' in line with the Korean Olympic Committee's amendments.

In response, the K-Football Innovation Committee also proceeded with discussions centered on expanding the Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) electoral body. Chairman Park Ji-sung explained, "We need to adapt the proposal from the Korean Olympic Committee by adjusting it for application within the Korea Football Association. We are at the stage of beginning discussions on which parts to strengthen and which to reduce. There may be aspects that appear insufficient according to the standards set by the Olympic Committee for professional and industrial leagues. If we expand those areas, there is a possibility that the electoral body could exceed 10,000 members."

He continued, "Including all individuals related to football in the electoral body is realistically difficult. We are also discussing how to incorporate amateur enthusiasts. While we aim not to exclude anyone, we are still deliberating up to what extent they can be included. Although we need to determine precise figures, increasing from around 200 members to over 10,000 represents a massive expansion. Ultimately, a significant increase in the number of electors is expected among players, coaches, and others."

Chairman Park Ji-sung further addressed the possibility of introducing electronic voting: "We must consider implementing it across all possible measures. There may also be budgetary constraints. We need to discuss which approach would be most reasonable." He added, "We have decided to finalize the amendment procedures by August while discussing the revision of the Korean Olympic Committee's regulations for member sports organizations that serve as the basis for the reform plan."

During today's meeting of the K-Football Innovation Committee, discussions were held not only on expanding the electoral body but also on youth development plans and ensuring the independence of the Korea Football Association's Power Strengthening Committee. Chairman Park Ji-sung explained, "Discussions focused on innovating player registration paradigms and the university league system based on a philosophy centered on player growth to foster youth talent. We also discussed expanding facility infrastructure alongside excellent coaches and increasing support for participation in international competitions."

He further stated, "Finally, discussions were held on enhancing the independence of the Power Strengthening Committee and rationalizing the procedure for appointing the national team head coach. We shared relevant regulations and recognized issues with the Korea Football Association. These matters will be discussed in detail at the next meeting." He added, "There is a question of how the Korean Olympic Committee's regulations can be practically applied to each sports organization and to what extent the autonomy of association organizations can be guaranteed. The association itself needs to discuss what measures it can take to ensure fairness and gain broader recognition."

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*This content was translated by AI.