Park Ji-sung, a member of a FIFA subcommittee. [Yonhap]
Park Ji-sung, a member of a FIFA subcommittee. [Yonhap]

South Korea is launching a "K-Football Innovation Committee" to be co-chaired by Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young and Park Ji-sung, a member of a FIFA subcommittee.

Choi announced the plan Thursday on his Instagram account, saying he had agreed with Park, Lee Yong-pyo and Park Ju-ho to form the committee "to revive Korean football from the crisis it faces." He said the committee, which he and Park will co-chair, will officially launch Monday.

Choi added that sports officials and experts will also participate, including Korea Sports Council President Yoo Seung-min, Korea Football Association Secretary General Kim Seung-hee, Korea Professional Football League Secretary General Jo Yeon-sang, attorney Yoo Young-geun and professor Kim Dae-hee.

The committee will operate on a temporary basis and is expected to hold comprehensive discussions on key challenges facing Korean football, Choi said, including governance issues, youth player development and the introduction of advanced technology systems. "The government will provide firm and solid support from behind so that a vision for Korean football can be established and carried out, centered on trusted football figures," he said.

Choi recently met with football officials and experts to share these views.

Ministry to conduct special audit of Korea Football Association

Earlier, Choi signaled a special audit of the Korea Football Association, announcing the plan on his Instagram account on June 29.

"To investigate the public's questions about where the disastrous failures of Korean football originated and to determine the exact truth, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association," Choi wrote. He said an investigation committee including outside experts would be formed to identify the causes of the association's incompetence, mismanagement and complacency, adding that any irregularities, misconduct or illegal acts uncovered in the process would be met with strict accountability.

Choi said the findings would be compiled into a white paper and made fully transparent to the public, so the episode could serve as a painful lesson to prevent a recurrence. "We will make this a turning point and a springboard for Korean football to move forward," he said.

South Korea had aimed to reach the round of 16 for a second consecutive World Cup after doing so at the 2022 Qatar tournament, but finished third in Group A at this year's North America edition with one win and two losses — three points.

In the subsequent competition among the 12 third-place finishers, South Korea placed 10th and failed to advance to the round of 32.

With the tournament expanded to 48 nations, South Korea finished 34th overall — its lowest ranking in World Cup history.


yul@heraldcorp.com