Korea Sports Promotion Foundation to Expand Electoral College 41-Fold; Expected to Guide Football Association Reforms

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO) has decided to significantly broaden its electoral college for its presidential elections, a move slated to take effect from 2029. This reform aims to democratize the selection process by moving away from a limited, indirect system to one that more directly reflects the will of athletes and sports officials.

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The limited indirect election structure is being changed to a structure where the will of field sports personnel is directly reflected, aiming to enhance the representativeness and democracy of the election.

Currently, the KSPO's president is elected through a system where electors are chosen by lottery by the Election Management Committee. Eligible electors included members and delegates from city and district sports councils, along with one representative recommended by the sports councils. The revised articles of association, however, will abolish this method. Instead, the electoral college will encompass executives and delegates from member sports associations (excluding recognized organizations) and all registered athletes within the KSPO's registration system.

This expansion is projected to increase the number of electors from approximately 2,200 to over 92,000, a 41-fold increase. The KSPO stated that the reform's objective is to enhance the representativeness and democratic nature of the elections by allowing direct input from those involved in sports at the grassroots level. While the new regulations are set for the 2029 presidential election, there is a provision for earlier implementation if member organizations deem it necessary.

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Given that football fans have distrust in the current presidential election method, we must resolve this and build an environment that is trusted by many people.

This reform is particularly significant as it may serve as a benchmark for the Korea Football Association (KFA), which is currently facing pressure to transition its presidential elections from an indirect to a direct system. Following the national team's early exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, calls for greater transparency and public trust in the KFA's electoral process have intensified. KFA's Innovation Committee Chairman Park Ji-sung has emphasized the need to address public distrust in the current system. KSPO President Yoo Seung-min indicated that while the KSPO's reform direction can guide the KFA, the football association must develop its specific plans independently.

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The direction of expanding the electoral college presented by the Sports Council can serve as a standard for how the Football Association forms its electoral college, but ultimately, the specific plan must be prepared by the Football Association itself.