What kind of person was Chung Mong-gyu, the current president of the Korea Football Association, from the perspective of Huh Jung-moo, who served as the vice chairman of the Korea Football Association? Huh, who challenged the president, respected Chung Mong-gyu, but stressed the need for change.

Candidate Huh Jung-moo held an official press conference at the Parktel in Songpa, Seoul on the 25th to run for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association.

Chung Mong-gyu's term ends in January next year. Amid rumors that Chung will continue to run in the election this year, Huh Jung-moo has officially expressed his intention to run as president of the Korea Football Association.

Candidate Heo Jung-moo said, "Korean soccer is on a shaky ground. The dogmatic and self-righteous operating system has resulted in disastrous system collapse. I have decided not to remain on the sidelines anymore. We have to stop this crash."

"A series of opaque and immature administrations, shameful behavior of not correcting mistakes even though one knows one's mistakes have undermined the status of the association today. Korean soccer is regressing. It is important to overcome this and create a fair system," he said.

Heo pointed out problems to the Korea Football Association under Chairman Chung Mong-gyu's leadership. "There were many problems. There were issues regarding the appointment of amnesty, manager Klinsmann, and manager Hong Myung-bo," he said. "There is a problem with the decision-making structure. Due to the arbitrary management method, the decision was not properly communicated. The appointment of a coach should not be determined by the decision of the president. The reason is the lack of a system. From now on, I think the association should make its own decisions and take responsibility without paying attention to the superiors," he said.

Heo Jeong-moo has become an administrator after serving as a leader. He served as vice president of the Korea Football Association, vice president of the Korea Tsuro Football Association, and chairman of the Daejeon Hana Citizen's board.

Moreover, he worked with Chairman Chung Mong-gyu when he was vice chairman. "I was at the association for a while. After the World Cup in Brazil, I stepped down because the KFA asked me if I was responsible," he said. "Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is a person who is sincere, faithful, and dedicated to his work."
"But now I think it has to be changed. When I worked for the association, I had an idea that 'decision making is not working well'. When an agenda is clearly raised in any organization, opinions should be coordinated from experts and people in charge, and the work should be carried out after discussions on pros and cons. There was a regret. I don't mean to criticize Chairman Chung Mong-gyu. He is basically a person with a lot of passion and love for soccer."

Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is still reticent about his bid for a fourth term. However, it is believed that he will seek a second term. After about 15 years, multiple candidates will compete for the position of president of the 안전놀이터 Korea Football Association.

Candidate Huh Jung-moo stressed that he has strength in the field compared to Chairman Chung Mong-gyu and the current KFA executive. He said, "I know the field well. From the youth team to the professional team, they know the reality and foundation of Korean soccer. That is my strength. I have been thinking about how to develop Korean soccer based on this. That is why I am running as a candidate. This is why I dare to challenge myself and is a strength that I have."

The election for the president of the Korea Football Association is Jan. 8 next year. According to Article 23-2 (2) of the articles of association, registration of candidates for the presidential election is only allowed for those under the age of 70 as of election day. Heo Jeong-moo, who was born on Jan. 13, 1955, will run for the election five days before his 70th birthday.

The election for the president of the Korea Football Association will be held on the 12th of next month with an election management committee and a three-day registration period from the 25th. The electors will consist of about 200 soccer players, including representatives from the Korea Football Association, executives from affiliated organizations, leaders, players and referees.