Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu on Tuesday dodged questions about his intent to run for another term at the helm of the national football governing body, saying he will keep all options open. Chung was put on the spot by multiple lawmakers of the parliamentary committee on culture, sports and tourism during their questioning session at the National Assembly. After answering questions about his contentious hiring of Hong Myung-bo as the men’s national team head coach during the morning session, Chung was mostly asked about his future beyond this year in the afternoon.
Chung has been the KFA’s honcho since January 2013, and his third term is scheduled to wrap up at the end of this year. He has been under pressure to step down for months. Calls for his head began after South Korea got knocked out of the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in February and grew louder with Hong’s appointment in July, with the KFA facing criticism for disregarding the proper vetting process.
Nearly 60,000 fans attending South Korea’s World Cup qualifier against Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 5 chanted, “Chung Mong-gyu, get out!” while holding up banners with similar messages. Chung did not budge in the immediate aftermath and remained 한국을 noncommittal Tuesday. “On the matter of my status, I will think long and hard about it before making the decision,” Chung said, responding to a question from Rebuilding Korea Party Rep. Kim Jae-won. “I will leave all possibilities open for the development of South Korean football.”
Chung said he did not agree with the notion that his football-related activities of late are all designed to help him win a fourth term. “I think history will judge me in the end,” Chung added. In order for a head of a national sports federation to run for a fourth term, he or she must be approved by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.
When pressed about his future in February, Chung said: “In 2018, I changed the articles of association so that a KFA president could only have three terms. However, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the sports ministry did not approve of the change. I will let that answer the question about my future.”
Chung has not formally announced a bid for his fourth term, but he is largely expected to do so, after being elected to the AFC’s executive committee in May. When asked again later in the session about his future, Chung said, “I will try to make a wise decision and will leave all options open. “When Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Lee Ki-heon pointedly asked Chung if this wasn’t already time for him to leave the KFA, Chung responded, “I will bear that in mind.”