Yoo Seung Min The 42nd president of the Korea Sports Council vowed to become an on-site-oriented chairman through an official inauguration ceremony.

On the afternoon of the 27th, the inauguration ceremony for the 42nd chairman of the sports association was held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Ballroom in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, attended by more than 800 officials from sports organizations, the government, the National Assembly, and local governments. The inauguration event was simplified as recent wildfires in Yeongnam caused damage everywhere. Celebratory performances and no toast were followed, including a silent tribute to the victims, and rice was donated instead of a congratulatory wreath to be used to support relief and recovery for victims of forest fires.

Chairman Yoo said in his inaugural address, "I will be a chairman who listens, feels, and moves. I will listen to the vivid voices from the field, such as playgrounds, gyms, and conference rooms, not the reports from the tabletop," he said. "The sports world is deeply troubled and tested by various conflicts and incidents, but we will make this crisis an opportunity for change," he said, promising to make gradual changes so that athletes and leaders can be faithful to their roles. In addition, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province also expressed its strong will to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.

On this day, President Kim Nam-i, who became the first female secretary-general of the sports association, said, "I came with a great sense of responsibility. If athletes help together, there will be good results for the development of the sports association," he said. Kim Taek-soo, head of the Jincheon National Team, a former member of the national table tennis team, promised, "We will give the players freedom, but lead them to the best in the world."

[Reporter Kim Jihan]