Questions cannot be left over. The political circle’s “attack” on Chung Mong-kyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, is not over yet.
Chairman Chung was literally subjected to a “fleet bombing” at a questionnaire on pending issues at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Monday. The ruling and opposition parties criticized Chairman Chung with the same nuance as Rep. Jeon Jae-soo of the main opposition Minjoo Party said, “It is the first time I have seen lawmakers from both parties criticizing the sports community in unison like today.” Some people shouted out loud or mocked him with weak grounds, or mocked him with personal attacks, while others pointed out Chung and the Korea Football Association’s mistakes by citing facts and specific arguments.
The committee’s tackle on Chung is currently underway. The National Assembly has decided to summon Chung as a witness to the parliamentary inspection next month.
Rep. Kang Yoo-jung of the main opposition Minjoo Party, who made Chung sweat with sharp comments and questions on pending questions, said, “I had the intention to withdraw the witnesses for the parliamentary inspection today. As time passed today, I thought we could not withdraw it,” adding, “I will take a deeper look at the situation between Chung and the Korea Football Association through the parliamentary inspection.” Rep. Jeon Jae-soo also said, “There will be a parliamentary inspection soon. There is a big gap between the public and the witnesses. Today’s meeting is not the last. It will be a catalyst for change. I will play the role of a stylistic committee to satisfy the criticism.”
Such a move by the political circle is interpreted as his strong will to block Chung from serving his fourth term. Chung is currently serving his fourth term. He was elected as an executive member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in May, and recently started publishing his autobiography to promote his achievement.
Asked whether he would seek a fourth term in office after a series of questioning on pending issues, Chung said, “I will make a decision after careful consideration for the development of soccer. I will make a wise decision. I will make a decision carefully.” In fact, Chung still seems to be determined to run.
Prior to the parliamentary audit, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is conducting an audit of the Korea Football Association. On the 2nd of next month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will announce the results of the soccer association’s audit.
The political community is clearly determined to block Chung from running for a fourth term through the ministry. “There is a regulation that allows the ministry to audit the Korea Football Association and demand suspension of the chairman’s qualification based on the audit results, and if the executive qualification is suspended, it cannot be challenged for a fourth consecutive term,” Kang Yoo-jeong, a lawmaker of the ministry, asked Yoo In-chon, the minister, also said, “That’s right.” Kang Yoo-jeong, a lawmaker of the ministry, said, “I would think that I received a promise from the minister that I could block Chung from serving a fourth term even if I file an administrative lawsuit.” 스포츠토토
The union, an internal organization of the Korea Football Association, recently announced its opposition to Chung’s second term. “The Chung Mong-gyu executive branch, blindly pursuing the chairman’s fourth term regardless of the angry public opinion of soccer fans and the media, is incompetent,” the union said. “We hope that Chung will declare that he will not run and spend the rest of his term dealing with the Korea Football Association in crisis. Chung’s declaration that he will not run will be the first step in resolving the Korean soccer crisis.”
Given the current atmosphere, Chung’s bid for a fourth term does not appear to be easy. Some say that “what matters is an undaunted mind,” but some things cannot be done solely by will. This is the case with Chung.