Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo HQ elects New President

The South Korean claimed an emphatic victory over Lim Choon-kil, the former vice-president of the Kukkiwon, to secure the top job at a by-election.

Lee clinched 55 of the 75 votes to comfortably see off Lim who polled 19 following an online voting system that was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The result sees the 64-year-old replace Choi Young-ryul, who had been President since March 2020.

Lee, who heads South Korea’s National Assembly Taekwondo Federation, claimed he was focused on working with World Taekwondo and the International Olympic Committee to help poomsae become an Olympic sport.

“I will solidify Kukkiwon pursuing harmony, consideration, and respect through its reform and normalization, and also I will establish an Ad-hoc committee of ’Save-Dojang’ for those dojangs ina difficult situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lee in a report by World Taekwondo United News.

Lee, a ninth-dan holder, started his new role on January 29 and is set to remain in office until October 11 next year.

The Kukkiwon, based in the South Korean capital Seoul, is the official taekwondo governing organization set up by the country’s Government.