There is no possibility of doing more Bae Soo-jin and Chung Mong-gyu are criticized for official candidacy...I will do my best with a firm determination to solve the problem

Dec 19, 2024

Jung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference to run for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association at the conference hall on the first floor of the Ponyjeong Foundation Building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th. Chairman Chung Mong-gyu poses after the press conference. Chairman Chung was approved by the Sports Fair Committee of the Sports Council on the 11th to seek a fourth consecutive term. After completing the candidate registration process, which will run from the 25th to the 27th, he will try for the fourth term in earnest. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.12.18/

Jung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference to run for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association at the conference hall on the first floor of the Ponyjeong Foundation Building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th. Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is answering the question. Chairman Chung was approved by the Sports Fair Committee of the Sports Council on the 11th to seek a fourth consecutive term. After completing the candidate registration process, which will run from the 25th to the 27th, he will try for the fourth term in earnest. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.12.18/

HDC Chairman Chung Mong-kyu (62) announced the reason for his candidacy for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association through a press conference. Chairman Chung held a press conference to run for president of the Korea Football Association at the Ponijeong Foundation Building in Seoul on the 19th. He proposed four things: ▶ restoring trust in the Korea Football Association through bold reform ▶ enhancing international competitiveness in Korean soccer ▶ completing the Korea Football Center (Cheonan Center) ▶ expanding the base of soccer through the completion of the video platform system.

Chairman Chung came here to challenge the president of the Korea Football Association again. I thought more than ever and listened to various people. Because he was deeply aware of the criticism, he also had a long time to gain insight into himself. I also wanted to put it down, but as a person who has worked hard for the development of soccer over the past 12 years, I didn't think I was fulfilling my responsibilities. I will accept the criticism of what I did wrong without any addition or subtraction and use it as nourishment for the association and development. With greater responsibility than anyone else, I will do my best for the future of Korean soccer with a firm determination to solve the problem."

In 1994, Chung became the owner of the Ulsan Hyundai Tiger Soccer Team and became a soccer player. 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. In the meantime, the professional football promotion system, the launch of the Golden Age program, the hosting of the U-20 World Cup, and the establishment of the foundation for the division system have been achieved. During this period, Korean soccer made a great history, including the runner-up at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2018 World Cup in Russia 'Kazan Miracle', the runner-up at the 2019 U-20 World Cup, and the third consecutive Asian Games. However, Chairman Chung and the Korea Football Association suffered from measles for about a year and six months. He was also audited by the National Assembly and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Questions about public criticism were also raised at the site.

Chairman Chung did not shy away from the harsh reality. He "Especially received a lot of rebukes in the last few months. I thought a lot about it. I thought about how and what to improve. I can accept some of the rebukes, but it was quite unfortunate that it affected the performance of the coaches and players. "It is an important time ahead of the completion of the Cheonan Center. The division system is not yet complete. Many people 'If this goes a little wrong, there is a possibility that it will retreat. Isn't it a more responsible attitude to complete to some extent?' Personally, it's hard, but I'm back here. It has currently invested 70 billion won for the Cheonan Center. Cheonan City invested more than 200 billion won to complete a considerable amount. I'm getting ready for bed. (financial matters) have been objectively sufficiently verified. I think I can do a little better. The process of persuading the divisional promotion system is important. I have an idea that I want to complete."

Jung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference to run for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association at the conference hall on the first floor of the Ponyjeong Foundation Building in Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th. Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is answering the question. Chairman Chung was approved by the Sports Fair Committee of the Sports Council on the 11th to seek a fourth consecutive term. After completing the candidate registration process, which will run from the 25th to the 27th, he will try for the fourth term in earnest. Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.12.18/

Regarding the relationship with the current government, "I'm talking about the budget cut of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but I didn't spend any (subsidies) in vain. I'll persuade you well. There seems to have been a misunderstanding with the government in this background"I think it is also a part that needs to be persuaded well about the Cheonan Center penalty. The ratio of government subsidies for the Korea Football Association last year was 16 to 17%. It was used for the development of youth or women's soccer. I'm worried that if the amount decreases, I may not be able to do a specific business. I don't think we're going to cut subsidies for no reason."

Chairman Chung emphasized that he will conduct an open administration to communicate with the public to restore the trust of the Korea Football Association and create a soccer ecosystem where everyone is together by sharing the association's knowledge, resources, achievements, and opportunities for the development of Korean soccer. He aimed to secure the quarterfinals of the 2026 North-China World Cup, the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, the 2027 Asian Cup, and the 2028 Olympic medal. `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 more likely to play football"I hit Bae Soo-jin.

epi17@sportschosun.com