SOCCER-FIFA/CHUNG South Korea's Chung considering FIFA presidency run

Record ID: 150270

  • Title: SOCCER-FIFA/CHUNG South Korea's Chung considering FIFA presidency run
  • Date: 3rd June 2015
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (JUNE 3, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF KOREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FLAG OF KOREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HONORARY FIFA VICE PRESIDENT CHUNG MONG-JOON BOWING AND TAKING HIS SEAT AT NEWS BRIEFING ROOM NEWS BRIEFING IN PROGRESS JOURNALIST TYPING AT NEWS BRIEFING CHUNG LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) HONORARY FIFA VICE PRE
  • Embargoed: 18th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVASCQCO1HF8C3DJICY3THYRW8H
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Chung Mong-joon, the billionaire scion of South Korea's Hyundai conglomerate, said on Wednesday (June 3) that he will "carefully consider" running for the FIFA presidency following Sepp Blatter's unexpected decision to resign as the head of world soccer's governing body.
    Chung, a former member of FIFA's powerful Executive Committee and a fierce critic of Blatter, also told a news conference in Seoul he would meet other international soccer powerbrokers before making any decision.
    Blatter's shock resignation as FIFA president, hours before it emerged he was under investigation by U.S. authorities, has prompted widespread calls for root-and-branch reforms at soccer's world governing body.
    "I will carefully consider running for the FIFA presidency," Chung told reporters at the KFA headquarters.
    "I will make my decision after meeting with international football leaders and listening to their opinions," Chung added.
    An honorary FIFA vice president, Chung said the manner of Blatter's resignation was "disappointing and regrettable" and that the 79-year-old Swiss should not lead the process of reform.
    The biggest shareholder in Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd and a one time South Korean presidential hopeful, Chung was instrumental in bringing the World Cup to South Korea in 2002 when it co-hosted the event with Japan.
    One of Asia's most influential football figures, Chung was the head of the Korea Football Association (KFA) from 1993 to 2009, a position now held by his nephew, Chung Mong-kyu.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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