Chung Mong-kyu Announces Candidacy for KFA Presidency

On December 19, Chung Mong-kyu officially declared his candidacy for the presidency of the Korea Football Association (KFA) during a press conference, marking his bid for a fourth term. He stated, "This decision comes after much contemplation and listening to various opinions. I have reflected on the criticisms directed at both myself and the KFA. Although I considered stepping down, I believe it would not fulfill my responsibility as someone who has worked for the development of Korean football for the past 12 years." Chung emphasized his commitment to accepting criticism regarding the shortcomings and mistakes of both himself and the KFA, viewing it as essential for the association's growth.

Chung has faced significant criticism from both inside and outside the football community due to issues such as the controversial pardoning of corrupt football officials, the appointment of national team coaches Jurgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo, and various administrative challenges within the KFA. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has initiated an audit of the KFA and has requested severe disciplinary action against Chung, including a suspension of his qualifications. He acknowledged the criticisms but pointed out the importance of completing the Cheonan Football Center, which is set to be completed next year, and finalizing the promotion and relegation system in Korean football, stating that fulfilling these responsibilities is crucial.

Regarding the pressure from the government not to run, Chung mentioned that there are several misunderstandings at play. He claimed that the Ministry had misconceptions about the distribution of World Cup funding and the failure to secure the Asian Cup, which led to the audit of the KFA and the pressure on him not to run. He explained that only 45% of the World Cup funding was allocated to the national team, which is standard practice in many countries, with the remainder used for covering participation costs and investing in youth football. On the Asian Cup bid, he noted that they initially aimed to secure 30 billion KRW but ended up spending 60 billion KRW due to government encouragement, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia combined spent 180 billion KRW, indicating that the KFA was not at fault.

Chung also addressed concerns regarding the alleged misappropriation of subsidies for the Cheonan Football Center, stating that the issue arose from the association's office being located in a facility that should not house such offices. He argued that since the center is not yet completed, there is no need for an office there, and he believes that imposing fines and halting subsidies lacks justification. He expressed confidence in persuading the government on this matter.

Chung declared that this would be his final attempt to run for the KFA presidency, stating, "I do not foresee any further opportunities beyond this. If elected, I will focus on nurturing future candidates for the presidency during my last term. It is vital for football professionals to gain administrative experience, similar to how the president of the Japan Football Association first served as secretary general to gain such experience."