SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean businessman Chung Mong-gyu was elected to head the country’s football governing body for a fourth term on Wednesday after he withstood a scandal over the appointment of national team coaches last year that sparked calls for him to step down.
Chung won in the first round of the election to lead the Korea Football Association (KFA) for the next four years.
Speaking to the press after being reelected, Chung thanked those who voted for him and said he felt a “bigger responsibility” and vowed to keep his promises.
“I hope the weather will be warmer and spring will come in football too,” he said.
In November, Chung, who has led the KFA since 2013, faced calls from the sports ministry to be suspended for breaking its own rules when hiring two men’s national team head coaches.
The recommendation was included in the final results of an audit probing the organisation’s recruitment of Hong Myung-bo and his predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann, which sparked a public backlash amid accusations of favouritism.
Hong had said his appointment was not the result of preferential treatment from the KFA.
A court earlier this month granted a request by the KFA to halt the execution of the ministry’s demand to penalise its chief, allowing him to run for reelection, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
When asked about improving relations with the government, Chung said he would explain his position at a later date.
The businessman has previously pledged to donate 5 billion won ($3.49 million) to build a new football centre.
($1 = 1,432.3000 won)
(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Ed Davies and Peter Rutherford)
