'K-Football Innovation Committee' Officially Launches; Park Ji-sung Rules Out Presidential Bid

[Anchor]

The 'K-Football Innovation Committee' has been launched to set South Korean football, currently in crisis, back on the right track. The innovation committee members, including co-chair Park Ji-sung, a member of the FIFA committee, have decided to focus on restructuring the system while ruling out any bids for the upcoming 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 that he would step down from the chairmanship and proposed nominating Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min for the position.

[Choi Hwi-young/Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: You will accept, right? (Yes.) Then I will step down from the chairmanship.]

The government has drawn a line, stating it will 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 (KFA).

[Ryu Seung-min/President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Co-chair of the Innovation Committee: We do not intend to intervene in critical areas such as national team operations or personnel decisions. We will work hard to create an atmosphere where the public can once again send their applause and encouragement to our football association and the national team.]

The innovation committee plans to meet once a week until the next KFA executive branch is formed, 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 it would not be fair (if I ran), so the biggest factor was the belief that I had to clearly draw a line before participating in the innovation committee. I believe the direction the innovation 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 the next leader in accordance with the election system reform bill being pushed by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Park Gi-deok)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.