Gov′t to seek to overhaul KFA as part of nation normalization project

▲ Sim Jong-seob, a senior official at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a briefing on the nation normalization project, at the government complex in Seoul on May 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

govt-KFA overhaul

Gov't to seek to overhaul KFA as part of nation normalization project

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- The government will seek to overhaul the way the Korea Football Association (KFA) is run, including introducing a direct election for its president and making the appointment process for the national team's head coach more transparent, as part of efforts to address abnormal social practices, officials said Friday.

Overhauling the KFA was one of 164 tasks that the government has finalized under what it calls the "nation normalization project" that was launched after President Lee Jae Myung ordered the correction of abnormal practices and systems, deep-rooted illegal and illicit acts.

Reducing bad calls through the improvement of refereeing administration was also part of the KFA overhaul task.

A government task force, led by the Office for Government Policy Coordination, finalized the tasks from some 500 collected from officials on the ground and civilian experts over the past month, and the selection was made with a focus on making real changes that can be felt by people, officials said.

Other tasks include adjusting speed limits in school zones, the standardization of beach umbrella fees, improving the opaque management system of studio apartments, known in Korea as "officetels," and banning illegal use of the Onnuri gift certificates the government issues to revitalize traditional markets.

Eradicating physical violence in the sports circles was among the tasks, including banning those with criminal records from taking jobs in the sector, toughening punishment of perpetrators and encouraging reporting of violence by guaranteeing whistleblowers remain anonymous.

"This nation normalization project will not end up a one-off event, and we will push patiently and consistently for this," said Sim Jong-seob, a senior official at the Office for Government Policy Coordination. "We will make sure to manage the process properly and show concrete outcomes."

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