Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, speaks during an opening ceremony of the Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, April 7. Yonhap
Chung Mong-gyu, the long-standing president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), announced Friday that he will resign from his post after the FIFA World Cup.
The KFA released an official statement from Chung, who has led the nation's football governing body for 13 years since taking office in 2013. He plans to officially submit his resignation after the World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S., concludes on July 19.
The announcement of his sudden departure is widely seen as an attempt to protect the national team from public backlash before the tournament. The move is also seen as a way for Chung to escape direct responsibility for the ongoing scandals surrounding his leadership.
"I intend to step down from the position of KFA president after this World Cup," Chung said in the statement. "I believe my final duty as president is to support the national team so that they can achieve meaningful results in the tournament, and I will do my utmost to fulfill this responsibility."
Chung secured his fourth consecutive term in February last year with an 85.6 percent approval rating. However, his leadership has faced severe public backlash due to the lack of transparency in administrative processes, poor communication with fans and a series of controversial managerial appointments.
The scrutiny intensified following the controversial hiring of former head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and current coach Hong Myung-bo. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an audit into the KFA in July and August 2024, concluding that Chung had improperly intervened in the selection process and demanding heavy disciplinary action against him.
Although the KFA filed a lawsuit to contest the ministry's findings, a local district court ruled in favor of the sports ministry in April. In response, the KFA held a board meeting earlier this month and voted to appeal the decision.
Acknowledging the growing pressure stemming from the government audit, legal battles and widespread calls for his resignation, the 64-year-old chief expressed deep regret over the issues that have plagued the organization.
"I am well aware that there have been various controversies and criticisms during my tenure operating the football association," Chung said. "I believe all of this is due to my own shortcomings."
Source: Korea Times News
