As the size of the electoral college for the Korea Football Association (KFA) president election increases dramatically, attention is focusing on which candidate will hold the advantage in the race.

According to the football community on August 6, the by-election for the KFA presidency, which became vacant following the resignation of former President Chung Mong-gyu, is highly likely to be held toward the end of this year, around November or December.

With the K-Football Innovation Committee (Innovation Committee), which is leading the reform of South Korean football governance, releasing its recommendation for the composition of the electoral college on August 4, the number of voters—a major point of contention—has been set at around 20,000.

This is more than a 100-fold increase from the 192 voters in the previous presidential election held in 2025.

The football community expects that it will take at least three months for the KFA to hold a general assembly of delegates to revise its articles of association in line with this recommendation and determine the election methods, such as how to conduct electronic voting.

Inside the Innovation Committee, a consensus is reported to exist that the new leadership of South Korean football must be established by the end of this year at the latest.

Byun Suk-hwa, former president of the Korea University Football Federation, who has been perceived as one of the potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election, is a figure frequently mentioned following the announcement of the electoral college size.

This is because the votes of university players have increased enormously within the expanded electoral college.

While the actual number could decrease once duplicate individuals are excluded when the electoral college is finalized based on the Innovation Committee's recommendations, among the announced pool of approximately 20,000 voters, professional players are known to account for about 5,900.

Among them, university players account for 3,800, well over half.

Previously, only a total of five people from registered teams in the high school and university leagues were allowed to participate as voters.

When adding university coaches to university players, the weight held by the university football sector in the electoral college becomes even greater.

Former President Byun started his tenure as president of the University Football Federation in 2002 and served six consecutive terms, overseeing university football administration for over two decades.

Although he stepped down after losing to current President Park Han-dong in the December 2024 election, his influence in the university football community is evaluated to remain strong.

The number of amateur club voters is reported to be around 5,000.

This is a massive increase from the previous level of about 20, reaching a scale comparable to professional players and coaches.

Democratization is the core agenda of this governance reform.

With the expansion of the electoral college itself and the growth of the amateur quota—which was previously unrelated to professional football figures—to a scale that can sway election results, the prevailing outlook is that conventional campaign approaches will no longer work.

The general manager of a K League 1 club said, "Rather than securing votes by functional groups, it will likely turn into a personality-driven election where figures with public appeal gain the upper hand," adding, "Naturally, former star players with high public recognition will have the advantage."

Among former players, Gangwon FC CEO Kim Byung-ji is being discussed as a strong candidate.

Amidst Innovation Committee Co-Chairman Park Ji-sung and commentator Lee Young-pyo effectively declaring they will not run for the presidency, the mood among elite football figures is solidifying that there is no alternative outside of CEO Kim.

Aside from former President Byun and CEO Kim, Gyeonggi-do Football Association President Lee Seok-jae and Coupang Play CEO Kim Sung-han are also being mentioned as potential candidates.

President Lee has led Gyeonggi-do football for over a decade since 2013 and knows the realities of South Korean football better than anyone, but the fact that he is perceived as part of the football establishment is a vulnerability.

CEO Kim Sung-han is known to have played a key role in establishing Coupang Play as a leading media outlet in the football world.

However, as various projects such as K League broadcasting are underway, concerns over conflicts of interest could arise.

Cautious projections are also emerging that if Co-Chairman Park Ji-sung enjoys strong public support, he might change his mind and run for the presidency.

A high-ranking official of an affiliate organization said, "Even former President Kim Dae-jung reversed his decision not to run," adding, "It would not be impossible for Co-Chairman Park if he has justifiable cause."