Culture Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun: K-Football Innovation Committee Not at Level for FIFA to Take Issue

Kim Dae-hyun, 2nd Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, addressed concerns that the K-Football Innovation Committee (hereinafter the Innovation Committee) could be perceived as political interference, as well as the International Football Federation's (FIFA) push for an on-site inspection, stating that "there will be no major problems."

During a preliminary briefing for the National Sports Policy Committee held at the Seoul Government Complex today (the 2nd), Vice Minister Kim responded to related questions by saying, "We anticipated this aspect even before the launch of the Innovation Committee and shared the awareness that we must not give any pretext for criticism." He added, "The fact that the Innovation Committee was formed under the co-chairmanship of Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and Park Ji-sung, a member of a FIFA standing committee, was also to avoid such controversy."

He further noted, "Since the Innovation Committee is an advisory body, it does not have the function to coerce or regulate," adding, "Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young participating as a member will not pose a problem."

Vice Minister Kim also stated, "Because the Innovation Committee is a consultative body in which related organizations such as the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the Korea Football Association, and the K League all participate, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism joined to that extent." He added, "Past cases of FIFA disciplinary action occurred in countries where unimaginable things happened. FIFA will not take issue with the level of the Innovation Committee."

FIFA strictly prohibits political interference in football matches or administration.

Member nations that violate this rule face heavy sanctions, ranging from bans on participating in international competitions to suspension or expulsion in severe cases.

Some critics have pointed out that recent domestic football reform moves led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including the Innovation Committee, could infringe upon the independence of the Korea Football Association and become grounds for FIFA disciplinary action.

In fact, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently sent an official letter to the Korea Football Association requesting information on the situation in domestic football, including proposals to change the election structure for the next president, and emphasized statutes requiring member football associations to carry out their duties independently.

FIFA had decided to visit Korea directly to conduct an on-site inspection, but notified the Korea Football Association side that it would postpone it due to internal circumstances.

Meanwhile, back in 2024, when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism demanded severe disciplinary action of suspension or higher against then Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, FIFA also sent an official inquiry letter regarding the matter.

At the time, Kang Yu-jung, current Senior Presidential Spokesperson who was then a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, inquired with FIFA about the issue, and FIFA reportedly responded to the effect that it understood the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit as a measure to improve the governance structure of the Korea Football Association.

Former President Chung Mong-gyu also answered "I do not think so" in response to a question by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Jae-jung, chairperson of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, during a parliamentary hearing last July asking whether "various measures stemming from government concerns constitute an infringement on the independence of member associations stipulated by FIFA."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.