[Anchor]
The K-Football Innovation Committee has been launched with the goal of setting South Korean football on the right path. Co-chair Park Ji-sung stated that he would work to correct the wrong practices of the Korea Football Association and would not run in the next presidential election.
Reporter Lee Jeong-chan has the story.
[Reporter]
Before the first meeting, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, who was set to serve as co-chair alongside Park Ji-sung, announced his intention to step down from the position and proposed nominating Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min as his successor.
[Choi Hwi-young/Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: You will accept, right? (Yes.) Then I will step down from the chairmanship.]
The government drew a line, stating it would focus on its role as a supporter, a decision interpreted as being mindful of FIFA statutes that strictly prohibit government interference.
Ryu Seung-min, the newly appointed co-chair of the Innovation Committee and president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, pledged to lead change while respecting the autonomy and independence of the Korea Football Association.
[Ryu Seung-min/President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Co-chair of the Innovation Committee: It is not about intervening in critical areas such as national team operations or personnel decisions. I will work hard to create an atmosphere where the public can once again send their applause and encouragement to our football association and players.]
The Innovation Committee plans to meet once a week until the next leadership of the Korea Football Association is inaugurated, focusing primarily on correcting the association's decision-making system. Innovation committee members, including co-chair Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Park Joo-ho, have decided not to run in the next presidential election.
[Park Ji-sung/Co-chair of the Innovation Committee: I thought that (running for office) would not be fair, so the biggest factor was the belief that I had to draw a clear line before participating in the Innovation Committee. I believe the direction the committee takes (to restore trust) is what matters most.]
Previously, President Chung Mong-gyu submitted his resignation to the association, concluding his 13-year and 5-month tenure.
Accordingly, the association plans to begin the process of selecting its next leader in accordance with the election system reform bill currently being pushed by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.
(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Park Gi-deok)
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