Heo Jung-moo (69, photo), former chairman of Hana Citizen in Daejeon, expressed his willingness to run for president of the Korea Football Association on behalf of soccer players. “Someone took courage from the idea that they should represent soccer,” Heo said at an official press conference to run for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association at the Olympic Parktel in Seoul on the 25th. “I will reform the Korea Football Association and start a pleasant challenge to make a new 100 years of Korean soccer.”
Heo took the helm of the Korean national soccer team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and led the team to advance to the round of 16 teams in away matches. He served as a leader of Pohang Steelers, Jeonnam Dragons, and Incheon United on the pro stage. As an administrator, he served as vice chairman of the Korea Football Association, vice president of the Korea Professional Football Association, and chairman of the Hana Citizen’s board of directors in Daejeon before retiring last summer.
Former chairman Huh will face fierce competition if incumbent KFA President Chung Mong-kyu is re-elected for a fourth term in the upcoming election to be held on January 8 next year. “Chairman Chung is a person I personally respect for who is sincere and dedicated to his work after working together for about a year (as vice chairman). I have no intention of criticizing people themselves. However, I think we need to change now,” Huh said. “I remember that even back then, decision-making was not done well. I am confident that I can do as well as I do at the presidential election of professional baseball.”
When running for president of the Korea Football Association, Heo made five pledges: “Restoring trust through communication with fans), fair (transparent and fair operation), balance (guaranteeing autonomy of regional football associations), transparency (systematic appointment of leaders) and fostering (improving competitiveness in women’s soccer) “My strength is that I know the field better than anyone else,” Heo said. “I have thought about how to develop Korean soccer as I know the reality of soccer well from youth soccer to professional teams.” “This is the background and strength of my challenge as a soccer player.” 안전놀이터
Regarding the recent appointment of a coach of the Korean national team, which the Korea Football Association has been criticized for, former chairman Huh said, “We should not recommend and appoint him in a short period of time. From now on, we will come up with a verification system so that we can search for candidates and appoint the right coach with one to two years left in the term. It should be able to verify at least six months or a year.” He added, “The president of the association should not appoint and dismiss a coach. Even the current committee (to strengthen the national team’s capabilities) should be able to function properly.”