Kim Hyun-chul, a physical therapist who devoted 15 years to serving the national university, and Yoo Seung-min, chairman of the Jincheon Medical Center, respecting expertise X, and another unconventional personnel appointment

Apr 28, 2025

photo courtesy of the Korea Sports Council

A 15-year-old physical therapist who has devoted himself silently behind the Korean national team has become the new medical center director of Jincheon Training Center, the cradle of Taegeuk Warriors. Veteran trainer Kim Hyun-chul, who closely supported the national team, including badminton Ahn Se-young, at the Paris Olympics, which won 13 gold medals last year, was recently selected as the head of the medical center along with a second-class promotion from the Korea Sports Association personnel. The first department head was born in the field. It is a department in which general executives of the Korea Sports Association have previously held general managers' positions as rotating positions. This personnel appointment reflects the intention of Yoo Seung Min, chairman of the Korea Sports Council, to strengthen player-centered services by combining the expertise of the field with the administration, respect the professionalism of professional technical staff who have devoted themselves closest to the players, and to boost morale. It is evaluated as an extraordinary appointment of Chairman Yoo following the selection of Kim Nam-i, the first female athlete in the 105-year history of the sports association.

At the 2nd board meeting on the 22nd, the Korea Sports Association implemented an organizational regulation that opens the position of the head of the department to professional and technical staff such as facility safety and medical treatment (medical and physical therapy). Article 12 of the Organizational Regulations (based on position) '① The head of the headquarters shall be classified from level 1 to level 3 of the general staff to level 2 and the head of the center and the head of the department shall be classified from level 2 to level 4Notwithstanding paragraph (2), in the case of the head of a medical center and the head of the athlete's village safety department, the level 1 to level 3 of professional technical positions may be regarded as ' added paragraph 3. Through the revision of this organization, the first to third-level professional technical positions have opened the way for the head of the department, including the head of the athletes' village safety department and the head of the medical center.

Kim Hyun-chul, the new head of the center, came down as an original member when the first phase of construction of Jincheon Training Center was established in 2011 when the medical office was established" introduced himself. Regarding the appointment of the first department head in a professional technical position, "I didn't expect it at all." "He opened up a position as the head of the department to serve as an administrative officer to field experts. In the meantime, general administrative staff came as department heads, and although they had expertise in administration, they were lacking in medical and professional knowledge"If a professional manpower who has gained experience in the field becomes the head of the department, I believe that the advantages are great in continuing the work." In addition, if he resigns as the head of the department, he can return to his current position and focus on player treatment. It is a good system in terms of continuity of work, communication and motivation. The center family and the seniors and juniors are all welcoming us," he said, describing the atmosphere of the scene.

Director Kim said, `Physiotherapists are closest to the players. Through treatment, you will first know the player's body, psychological condition, and condition. Because they know what the players want and know best, they expect that even though they immediately reflect the players' needs (requirements) in the administration, they will have the advantage of being able to execute them more quickly than those who only do the administration." He also said "Rehabilitation treatment means you will be with the player for more than an hour. In addition to treating wounds and pain, we also share our daily concerns and trivial stories"Jincheon's national teams are the top 1% of players. Technology and performance are already at the highest level. Releasing the players' bodies and minds has a profound effect on their performance." Chairman Yoo Seung Min also knows this importance better than anyone else through his long experience as a national team player and athlete, so I think he reflected this in his administration after taking office."It is possible because the chairman, who was a former player and knows the field better than anyone else, came." Since the inauguration of the chairman, the Department of Sports Medicine has been upgraded to a medical center. The next two to three years are really important at a time when the science of sports is growing."

Director of the center Kim said, `I feel a heavy responsibility to be the first head of the center from a professional technical position. Based on the strength of understanding the field better than anyone else, we will do our best to provide professional and systematic medical support so that national teams can maintain their best condition and perform without injury. Jincheon Medical Center will try to become the center of sports medicine in Korea."

Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com

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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.