New KFA executive vows transparency

By Cho Mu-hyun

Kim Joo-sung, the Korea Football Association’s (KFA) newly appointed secretary general, pledged transparent governance and more communication Monday.

The 46-year-old, former national team member, replaces Kim Jin-kook. The latter resigned Friday following protests from the KFA Union for his responsibility in paying a large settlement to an employee involved in theft and embezzlement. Kim Joo-sung had previously been head of the KFA's international affairs.

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) started an investigation related to the incident Monday and is known to have received accounting books from KFA president Cho Chung-yun.

“I plan to resolve the current situation through smooth communication and want to contribute to the development of the association. I will administrate in a way that everyone associated with football is involved,” said Kim. “I will strengthen support for the national teams at all levels to promote Korean football.”

Kim, capped by his country in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, is the only Korean to have been nominated for Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) three consecutive times, from 1989 to 1991. He was recently nominated as a FIFA Under-20 World Cup committee member on Jan. 6.

He promised that future administrative decisions would be “transparent,” and plans to increase collaboration between the football governing body and the multiple regional associations.

Upon being asked what specific measure he planned to take concerning the scandal involving the corrupt employee, Kim said he will review the matter thoroughly and that the future course of action will be determined after the investigation by the KOC.

“If a fault is found, I have intentions to clarify the matter,” he said, while admitting that the KFA’s dealing with the employee was not “the right method” and expressed personal regret.

But he also came to the defense of fellow officials Hwangbo Kwan and Kim Jin-kook saying: “The distribution of responsibility is very specific because the football association is large. It is difficult for one person to be responsible for a decision.”

The KOC is planning to conclude the investigation as soon as possible to clarify matters, and undertake a secondary investigation at an unspecified date in April.