SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, said Friday he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, ending his 13-year tenure at the helm of South Korean football.
In a statement released two weeks before the tournament opens, Chung said he intends to resign after the World Cup, calling support for the national team his final duty as head of the association.
"I intend to step down as president of the Korea Football Association after this World Cup," Chung said. "I believe my last duty as president is to do my best to support the national team so it can produce meaningful results at the tournament."
"I am aware that there have been various controversies and criticisms during my time leading the association," Chung said. "I believe all of this is due to my shortcomings."
The KFA said Chung made the decision to urge football fans to give their full support to the national team during the World Cup. It also said he concluded that taking responsibility was necessary for the association to move past the current situation and return to long-term planning for South Korean football.
Chung won a fourth term in February last year with 85.6 percent support. He has led the KFA since 2013, when he took office as the association's 52nd president.
South Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, is preparing for the World Cup finals, which open next month in North America.
Chung plans to submit his resignation after the tournament, which is scheduled to conclude on July 19 local time.
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