[Anchor]

The K-Football Innovation Committee, tasked with setting South Korean football back on the right track, held its inaugural meeting today (July 6). Park Ji-sung, a member of the FIFA technical committee who serves as co-chair, and other members announced they would focus on laying a new foundation for the future of Korean football but would not run in the upcoming presidential election.

Reporter Lee Jeong-Chan has the story.

[Reporter]

Before the first meeting began, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, who had been set to serve as co-chair alongside Park, announced he would step down from the position and proposed nominating Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) President Ryu Seung-min to take his place.

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

This move is interpreted as the government drawing a line to act strictly as a supporter, mindful of FIFA statutes that strictly prohibit government interference.

Ryu Seung-min, the newly appointed co-chair and president of the KSOC, pledged to lead change while respecting the autonomy and independence of the Korea Football Association (KFA).

[Ryu Seung-min/KSOC President & Innovation Committee Co-Chair: 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 players.]

The committee plans to meet once a week until the next KFA leadership takes office, focusing primarily on correcting the association's decision-making structure. Innovation committee members, including Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Park Joo-ho, have decided not to run in the next presidential election.

[Park Ji-sung/Innovation Committee Co-Chair: I felt that (running for office) would not be fair, so the biggest factor was the belief that I had to clearly draw a line before joining 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 KFA plans to begin the process of selecting its next leader in accordance with the election system reform bill currently being pushed by the KSOC.

(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Park Gi-deok)