Chairman Chung Mong-kyu is trying to make an apology for the public criticism and strive for the future with greater responsibility than anyone else...World Cup quarter-final goal
Dec 19, 2024
|
|
Chairman Chung Mong-gyu officially announced his candidacy for the 55th President of the Korea Football Association.
Chairman Chung held a press conference for his candidacy at the Ponijeong Foundation Building in Jongno, Seoul on the 19th. He challenged for the fourth term with the slogan of 'Again, Happy Korea with Soccer'. In 1994, he became the owner of Ulsan Hyundai Tiger Soccer Team and connected with soccer. He was inaugurated as the 52nd president of the Korea Football Association in 2013, and has served two consecutive terms since then, leading Korean soccer for 12 years. Chairman Chung will once again stand at the starting line.
Chairman Chung said, `Dear soccer players, many people who love soccer. Today, I am here to challenge the president of the Korea Football Association once again. I've been thinking more about running this time than ever and listening to various people. I was deeply aware of the criticism, so I had a long time to gain insight into myself. I also wanted to put it down, but as a person who has worked hard for the development of football over the past 12 years, I didn't think it was about fulfilling my responsibilities. I will accept the criticism of what I did wrong without adding or subtracting and nourishing the association and its development. With a greater sense of responsibility than anyone else, I will do my best for the future of Korean soccer with a firm determination to solve the problem. I will aim to win the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the gold medal in the Asian Games, the Asian Cup, and the Olympic medal. I will empathize, share, and contribute. We will fulfill our duties to advance Korean soccer in the prepared future, such as the division promotion system and the Korea Football Center. Please show your support and support so that soccer can become a daily routine for more people and make Korea happier"I threw my hat in the ring.
|
He"has received a lot of rebukes over the past year, especially over the last few months. I thought a lot about it. I thought about how and what to improve. There is something lacking. I thought a lot about whether it was a system problem or a personal problem. It's acceptable to some extent for me to be reprimanded, but it was quite unfortunate that it affected the performance of the coach and the players. Soccer officials said I should wrap it up. People close to me, such as my family, were in a position to do business, but there were quite a few people who were worried about how they could continue to do the soccer association against government guidelines, whether it would interfere with their business or have personal difficulties. I fully understand the concerns that fans are concerned about."
Chairman Chung once again challenged the president of the Korea Football Association, and through drastic reforms, he restored the trust of the Korea Football Association, improved the international competitiveness of Korean soccer, completed the Korea Football Center as a platform for the development of the soccer industry, and promoted the expansion of the soccer base through the successful completion of the division promotion system. There are two big goals for this. The first is the restoration of trust. He pledged to create an open soccer administration that communicates with the people, a soccer ecosystem where everyone is together, and a soccer that contributes to the country and society. He has also strengthened his determination to complete the prepared future. He promised to strengthen the global competitiveness of Korean soccer, complete the Korea Football Center, and complete the successful division system.
He said "I think the internal criticism of the Korea Football Association was pointed out because we were inadequate and I was wrong. I think what I reflected on during this incident was that I was a businessman, so I emphasized efficiency more than communication. If elected, we will communicate more and communicate more with the players as well as within the association and with leaders who are struggling in difficult places."
Chairman Chung also laid the groundwork for this to be his last. `I think it is important to cultivate a lot of talented people who will become the next president of the Korea Football Association if elected this time. I don't think I'm going to do more about soccer, I don't think so."
The following is a Q&A with Chairman Chung Mong-gyu.
|
▶I've received a lot of rebukes over the past year, especially over the last few months. I thought a lot about it. I thought about how and what to improve. There is something lacking. I thought a lot about whether it was a system problem or a personal problem. It's acceptable to some extent for me to be reprimanded, but it was quite unfortunate that it affected the performance of the coach and the players. I am also grateful to take the time to grow at such a rebuke.
-It is time to end his third term. Please give me an evaluation.
▶We are making various preparations. In particular, it is an important time ahead of the completion of the Cheonan General Center next year. Even for the division system, I don't think it can be said to be completed yet. Many people have received opinions that if this goes a little wrong in the process of my decision, there is a possibility of retreating, so it is more responsible to complete it to some extent. Personally, it's hard, but I'm back here.
-Fans don't want the chairman to try again.
▶The soccer officials told me that I should finish. People close to me, such as my family, were in a position to do business, but there were quite a few people who were worried about how they could continue to do the soccer association against government guidelines, whether it would interfere with their business or have personal difficulties. I fully understand the concerns that fans are concerned about.
-The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requested a suspension of duties, which can be expected to cut the budget. I wonder how you're going to deal with it when it comes to reality.
▶The Ministry of Culture is talking about budget cuts, but we didn't spend any of the donations in vain, especially in consultation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. I'll persuade you well. In this background, there seems to have been a misunderstanding with the government. First, there seems to have been a misunderstanding about the World Cup contribution after the World Cup. Some pointed out why the association does not give all to the players and only gives 45 percent. In any country, it is about 30 to 45 per cent. The remaining 30% will be used to cover expenses spent participating in the World Cup, and the remaining 30% will be used to develop youth soccer. I think there has been a little misunderstanding. Second, there seems to be a little misunderstanding about the Asian Cup bid or we didn't have enough explanation. I worked hard to host the Asian Cup in the Korea Football Association. But we saw how much financial contribution we would make in the AFC. We thought maybe 30 billion would be enough. I thought it was a lot of money. In the case of the Busan Expo, 30 billion won was collected by the 10 largest conglomerates. We spent 60 billion won talking to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The real concern was whether we could raise the funds when we were childish. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have written a large number of 180 billion. From the AFC's point of view, of course, they had no choice but to raise the hands of the two countries. We think that the recognition that we did not do enough in the process led to audits.
-I'm curious about the justification that Chung Mong-gyu must do it.
▶I don't think there's anything in the world that only someone should do. It can hurt and there can be many things. The current situation is that we have invested 170 billion won, but we have invested 70 billion won now. We need to invest 100 billion won more. Cheonan City has invested more than 200 billion won. It's quite a lot done. I think it's completely well-prepared. financially. Negotiations on broadcast rights have also been completed well. You can never lend money if you don't have enough confidence in the bank. Objectively, it has been sufficiently verified. If I do, I think I can explain it well to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He said there shouldn't be an association office, but since the stadium is under construction, you can change it to a lecture room as much as you want. The office can also be moved to the accommodation building. There is something to discuss. I think I can do a little better.
The most difficult thing about the division system was that it was a difficult process to persuade the professional federation to connect as it was in the promotion system. The persuasion process is important. I have a lot of thoughts that I want to complete.
|
▶If elected this time, I think it is important to cultivate a lot of talented people who will become the next president of the Korea Football Association. I don't think I'm more likely to play soccer.
-Among the misunderstandings with the government, leadership has recently been a controversy over amnesty and a mess in the process of appointing supervisors. I think the perception of conflict itself is far from the public's perspective.
▶ Regarding the appointment of a director, the Power Reinforcement Committee recommends it and the chairman appoints it through the board of directors. I think I kept that part well. As with all personnel, interviewing and meeting someone is to announce the results. I don't think it's a relay of the process. I think there was a bit of a lack of progress in that area.
The AFC conference was held in Korea. At that time, FIFA and AFC presidents were also present. You know it well by monitoring it in detail in our media. I explained it well, too. But the two, many officials, said they didn't know what was wrong with the appointment of a coach. I also did various groups at the company, and in the middle of it, the personnel problem should only come out, but I don't think that should happen again. I think it caused a lot of rebukes, criticism, and conflict.
-There are parts where the work process procedure has not been followed. There is criticism that no one criticizes the chairman's voice. I wonder if there is a solution.
▶ Business processes and regulations have been audited every year by the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee. If I buy, I always got the best grade except for the year. For the first time, it became a public interest-like designated organization and was audited by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the first time. Until now, I thought we just had to work hard, but when the regulations were changed right away, incomplete parts were found. As pointed out in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit of work, I think we should not upgrade such regulations quickly and improve the incomplete areas in the future. I don't think this will happen again. Everyone will reflect on themselves, and I will not do that.
-There were also criticisms of the association's internal staff. I wonder what you think.
▶ Regarding internal criticism from the association, I think we were criticized for our inadequacies and my mistakes. I think what I have reflected on through this incident was that the election has been held again since the first election 12 years ago, but since the basics are businessmen, I think it was a defeat that emphasized efficiency more than communication. If elected, I will communicate more, not only within the association, but also with players and leaders who are struggling in difficult places.
-The soccer players are in two and three parts. It is so divided that it is difficult to suture. There is a phenomenon of reluctance or avoidance of soccer administration. I think it's a difficult part no matter who is the chairman. I wonder what you have in mind.
▶I think if you vote, you will always be divided between two sides. What matters is how to seal it after the vote. The footballer fully understands. I think persuading well will be the key to success that can lead well.
-Former national team coach Huh Jung-moo and Professor Shin Moon-sun are voicing criticism. I wonder what you think of other candidates.
▶There are always voices of criticism in the election process. I think there must be a point. Coach Huh Jung-moo is an excellent man who reached the round of 16 away games in South Africa. I remember Shin Moon-sun making a passionate commentary. I don't know well because I haven't experienced it myself. I listen intently to criticism and try to accept what makes sense.
|
|
▶I think there are many ways to communicate. As I said in the declaration of candidacy, I think the governance system is important. I don't know much about the Badminton Association that was in question at the Olympics, but I think he represented a lot of sports. I think this happened because there are fewer elites. Twelve years ago, the association had 24 governance structures, including 16 cities and provinces and federations. The structure has changed now. At that time, there was only one professional club vote. It now represents 30 to 40. It was the fans and sponsors who said they would expand the electorate from 200 to 400. Sponsors are quite sensitive to fan support. I think it depends on the governance structure how the Korea Football Association better reflects the opinions of the people. Think about how to change it. This is also mentioned in politics, but I think the governance structure can be reflected in various football association issues.
-He said the following talent is also an important issue. I wonder if you have any specific plans on how to train.
▶So far, many stars, including Park Ji-sung, the head of the youth headquarters, Lee Young-pyo, and Lee Dong-guk, have held meetings together at the association and agonized over them. I think it's quite important. The following candidates are not only experienced as a soccer coach but also administration. Japan believes that Hyun served as chairman after years of being secretary-general and understanding a lot. I think it's good. I hope many soccer players participate in the administration and understand it.
-There is a concern in the soccer community. There is a great concern that the conflict with the government will not be resolved easily when elected. It was reported that it was clear that the heavy punishment could not be alleviated. There is also an opinion that there is a card called rejection of approval. There are also financial problems. It is possible to punish the Cheonan Football Center for 30 billion won in state subsidies. Over the next five years, difficulties such as a ban on subsidies are expected. I wonder how to solve the conundrum and if there is a solution.
▶Cheonan Center initially understood the same and felt the need. In fact, he was fined about 5 billion won. 300 billion won. I don't think the need cause is because I hate it. If it becomes a cause, it is fully understood, and the cause has opened an office. You don't have to put the office there. I think there is no justification. I think that's something we need to persuade well in the future. The suspension of subsidies was 16-17% of government subsidies last year. When it was decided, it was also a specific project such as the development of youth or women's soccer. If it is reduced, I am worried that there are cases where I may not be able to do a specific business. I don't think we're going to cut subsidies for no reason like that. I will try to persuade the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism well.
-There are also talks about Cheonan and Paju-to-track.
▶We are 25 years old for Paju NFC. Time has come for new investments and facilities in buildings. The grass has also been compressed a lot, and it is time to reinvest. On top of that, continuing to invest is different from installing something expensive in a monthly rent house. I think I should invest more in my house. Of course, it's good to have your own house and a house next to your office, but I think it'll be less efficient. I think you said it without knowing the financial aspects such as detailed costs and double management costs.
-I'm also curious about the profit structure of the Cheonan business.
▶Last time, the AFC president came and went to Cheonan. The FIFA president was also very interested. The Cheonan model thinks that local governments are an interesting model for the local government system and the soccer association. Cheonan-si and Chungcheongnam-do applied a lot. There is nothing of this scale in Asia other than Earthfire (Qatar). FIFA or AFC also said they would give lectures on local academies and leaders. The FIFA General Assembly also asked him to explain it well, saying it was an interesting model. It received a lot of praise and attention.
-I proposed a public debate.
▶We plan to announce our pledge after registering. I'm willing to see other people's pledges and have a public discussion.
epi17@sportschosun.com
