Seoul: A little over 14 years after leading South Korea to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Huh Jung-moo has officially declared his candidacy for the presidency of the Korea Football Association (KFA). The 69-year-old announced his intention to run for the top position at a press conference held in Seoul on Monday.According to Yonhap News Agency, Huh aims to succeed the current president Chung Mong-gyu, who has been at the helm of the KFA since 2013 and is anticipated to seek a fourth term. Chung has faced increasing pressure to step down due to a series of controversies, including disputes surrounding the hiring of the current men's national team head coach, Hong Myung-bo. Huh criticized the existing leadership, stating, "Korean football has been wavering. It has not been clean, transparent or just," and expressed a need for change within the organization.Huh pointed to the opaque administrative practices of the KFA as a significant issue, adding, "I feel a sense of duty to st op this freefall and help revive our football." He emphasized the importance of collaborative decision-making within the organization, arguing against the unilateral hiring and firing processes currently in place. Huh stated, "If the system at the KFA had functioned properly, things wouldn't have reached this point."Promising an open line of communication and increased transparency, Huh is also committed to working closely with regional football bodies, enhancing the system for developing and appointing coaches, and focusing on the development of youth and female players.Huh is renowned as one of South Korea's finest footballers, having earned 104 caps and scored 30 goals while representing the country at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. His international career also included a stint with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the early 1980s.In his coaching career, Huh led South Korea to the round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup, marking the first time the country advanced to the knockout stages of an away tournament. Huh remains the only South Korean-born coach to achieve a World Cup victory and reach the knockout phase.Huh has also held roles as a technical adviser and chairman of the board for Daejeon Hana Citizen FC, and served as vice president of the KFA and deputy commissioner of the Korean Professional Football League. Reflecting on his previous collaborations with Chung, Huh remarked, "I admire him. Although he has had some issues in his administration lately, I have absolutely no intention to criticize him as a person."The upcoming election is set for January 8, 2025, with candidate registration opening on December 25. Huh is the first to declare his candidacy, and he acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "I even heard something like, 'How dare he?' But I am not afraid." He remains focused on his goal, aiming to make a significant contribution to South Korean football whether or not he wins the presidency.Huh concluded by expressing his intent to serve as a bridge for young football talent in South Korea, stating, "I feel that this is an opportunity for me to make one last contribution to South Korean football."
- October 12, 2026
