Jeong Mong-kyu has been re-elected as the president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) for his fourth consecutive term, garnering overwhelming support amid various controversies surrounding the national sport. The election, held on February 26, 2025, saw Jeong securing 156 of the 183 valid votes, translating to over 85% of the total, allowing him to avoid the need for any runoff.
Jeong, chairman of the HDC Group, has been at the helm of the KFA since January 2013. His latest victory reinforces his standing within the association, even as he faces mounting criticism from soccer fans and scrutiny from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism due to past controversies which have overshadowed the recent performances of the national teams.
Reflecting on his election success, Jeong remarked, “This winter has been particularly long. I hope spring will come for football as well. I will fulfill the promises made so far.” He expressed gratitude to his opponents, including Heo Jeong-moo and Shin Moon-seon, acknowledging their contributions to the sport.
Throughout his campaign, Jeong emphasized the importance of communication, saying, “The most important thing we learned from this election is communication. Listening to the voices of football stakeholders can resolve half of the issues.” He recognized the challenges posed by the recent controversies which have largely affected public trust and enthusiasm for football within the country.
With his continued leadership, Jeong aims to tackle pressing issues within the KFA, including the restructuring of the coaching selection process, fostering broader representation and improving governance within the association. He stated, “We will implement reforms to improve the governance structure by enhancing the management team and increasing representation.”
Jeong also set ambitious goals for the future of Korean football, committing to rank both the men’s and women’s teams within the top ten of FIFA rankings and to host significant international tournaments such as the 2031 Asian Cup and the 2035 Women’s World Cup. “Our aim is clear: we will aim for our men’s and women’s national teams to be ranked within the top 10 FIFA rankings,” he asserted during his acceptance speech.
Nonetheless, Jeong’s presidency is not without its hurdles. He continues to face public discontent stemming from the national team’s underwhelming performances, particularly during recent tournaments. Following the KFA’s involvement with controversial coaching appointments and allegations of mismanagement, the Ministry of Culture has mandated investigations and has proposed severe penalties, compounding Jeong’s challenges as he steps back to work.
Jeong faces intense pressure from the government as well, which has been vocal about its dissatisfaction with the KFA and has called for transparency following the findings of investigations led by the Ministry. Officials within the Ministry have highlighted the need for accountability and direct responses from the KFA, indicating potential repercussions if the association fails to adequately address public concerns. “We will push for transparency and clarity as we work to restore trust,” Jeong commented on the looming scrutiny.
It remains to be seen how Jeong will navigate the political climate surrounding his presidency and manage stakeholder expectations going forward. On the ground, Korean soccer fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, with the national teams facing Oman and Jordan as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Jeong's successful re-election signifies not only continuity within the KFA's leadership but also reflects the desire for steadiness amid the tumultuous political and social environment surrounding Korean football. Nevertheless, the extensive challenges he now faces will determine the direction of Korean soccer as it pushes for growth and international recognition.