Key facts
- Former FIFA World Cup player Park Ji-sung will co-lead a new government committee on football reform.
- The committee, named the "K-Football Innovation Committee," was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
- Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young will serve as the other co-head of the committee.
- The committee aims to bolster South Korean football's global competitiveness through discussions on governance, youth development, and technology.
- The formation of the committee follows South Korea's elimination from the FIFA World Cup.
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Former FIFA World Cup star Park Ji-sung is set to co-lead a newly established government committee tasked with reforming South Korean football. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the formation of the "K-Football Innovation Committee," with Park and Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young jointly heading the initiative.
The committee, which also includes seven other members such as Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min and former national team players Lee Young-pyo and Park Joo-ho, will engage in comprehensive discussions. These discussions are intended to identify measures that can enhance South Korean football's global competitiveness, focusing on areas like governance, youth development, and the integration of advanced technologies.
The committee's establishment comes in the wake of South Korea's early exit from the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also announced plans to audit the Korea Football Association (KFA), which has faced criticism regarding its hiring processes, including the appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong has since resigned following the team's World Cup performance.
Park Ji-sung expressed his commitment, stating that the committee aims to "establish a new direction for Korean football and build a future for sustainable growth." Minister Chae Hwi-young assured that all necessary support would be provided to ensure the committee's vision, developed by trusted experts, is implemented effectively.