Lee Ki-heung (69), the current chairman who is seeking a third term as the chairman of the Korea Sports Council, has been put on the first test of his bid for a second term before the primary.
In order for Chairman Lee Ki-heung to run for the 42nd chairman of the Sports Council on January 14 next year, he must pass the gate of approval for a second term by the Sports Fair Committee (Chairman Kim Byung-chul).
According to the current sports association’s articles of association, executives, including the chairman of the sports association, can serve a second term once, and if they want to serve three consecutive terms, they are required to go through deliberation by the Sports Fair Committee.
The Sports Fair Committee held a subcommittee on the 4th to conduct preliminary deliberations on Chairman Lee Ki-heung, who expressed his intention to seek his third term in office.
Based on the so-called preliminary deliberations, the FTC plans to conclude whether Chairman Lee Ki-heung will serve a second term at a plenary session scheduled for the 12th.
The biggest issue in deciding whether to approve Lee’s second term is expected to be whether he will continue to serve as an IOC member.
This is because the association’s articles of association stipulate that executive experience is required when entering international sports organizations, along with financial contributions and major international competition results, as an “exception” clause that can pass the FTC review.
Chairman Lee has no choice but to appeal with the logic that if he wants to continue as an IOC member, he must serve consecutive terms as the chairman of the sports committee.
Only two current IOC members are Lee and Kim Jae-yeol (56), president of the International Skating Union (ISU), who was elected as the head of the International Federation (IF) in October last year.
Chairman Lee, who became an IOC member as a representative of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 2019, will lose his position immediately if he fails to get approval from the Sports Fair Commission for a second term or fails to win the election for the chairman of the sports committee on January 14 next year.
However, even if Lee wins his third term, it is hard to guarantee whether he will be able to continue as an IOC member after next year.
This is because Lee, who was born on January 3, 1955, will retire at the age of 70 next year.
Lee’s remaining term as an IOC member is effectively the last day of his retirement age (December 31).
However, the IOC has exceptions to extend the term of office for up to four years from the voting of the IOC General Assembly for up to five of the members who have reached retirement age.
However, it is not easy to persuade Lee that the extension of the retirement age is only allowed to members of the IOC or those who have made special contributions to the realization of the Olympic spirit.
Furthermore, the IOC President’s election to replace current Chairman Thomas Bach, who has had a good relationship with President Lee, will be held at the IOC General Assembly in Greece on March 18-21 next year, dampening expectations for an extension of the retirement age.
“In terms of Korea’s sports diplomacy, it may be helpful to have even one more IOC member,” a person familiar with IOC news said. “However, it is as difficult as a camel passing through a needle hole because it is very difficult for the IOC to extend its term by four years among the members who have reached retirement age, such as going through a general meeting voting process.” 먹튀검증
