The Korean Football Association (KFA), currently facing a leadership vacuum, has tentatively set December 18 as the date for its next presidential election and plans to significantly expand the voter base to around 20,000.
Yoo Yong-soo, the acting president of the KFA, testified on October 21 during a National Assembly audit by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, responding to inquiries about the election schedule and governance reforms.
"While specifics are not finalized, we are preparing for December 18 as the election date," Yoo stated.
This marks the first time the KFA has mentioned a specific election date since former president Chung Mong-kyu stepped down in July, with the goal of electing a new president by the end of the year.
A key change for the upcoming election is the expansion of the voter base. In the previous presidential election held in February 2025, the voter base consisted of 192 members. In August, the KFA's K-Football Innovation Committee, led by Yoo Seung-min and Park Ji-sung, proposed increasing the voter base to 20,000.
Yoo explained, "We are working with the K-Football Innovation Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the KFA to prepare for the expansion of the voter base to around 20,000."
On October 15, the KFA sent a letter to national football organizations requesting the submission of lists of executives and delegates.
However, for the election to take place on December 18, complex regulatory adjustments must be made first. Amending the constitution is essential to change the composition of the voter base, as it is linked to the regulations of higher organizations and international bodies.
Yoo noted, "First, we need to work on constitutional amendments with the KFA, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and it must also align with the regulations of FIFA and the AFC. We are currently in discussions regarding this matter."
He added, "As has been reported, FIFA and the AFC are not blocking the process. However, since the changes to the election system differ from the past, further discussions are necessary."
The KFA presidency has been vacant for over three months. Chung, who was first elected in January 2013 and served four terms, announced in May that he would step down after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. He subsequently submitted his resignation on July 6, ahead of schedule, after more than 13 years in office.
Yoo expressed, "The KFA is currently facing significant criticism regarding administrative issues, and I hope the new president will lead a renewal and innovation in the organization."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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