It's an unexpected result. It's a shock. Chung Jin-wan, chairman of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled, is deeply disappointed
Sep 27, 2025
|
|
|
Chung Jin-wan, chairman of the Korea Paralympic Committee (IPC) Seoul General Assembly, expressed deep regret after Bae Dong-hyun, chairman of the BDH Foundation (42, vice president of Changsung Group), was defeated in the election for IPC chairman of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on the 27th.
In the election for the new chairman held during the IPC General Assembly held at Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Chairman Bae received 68 out of 177 valid votes from 187 IPC member organizations attending the General Assembly and lost by 41 votes to current Chairman Andrew Parsons (48, 109 votes). Parsons, chairman of the IPC, succeeded in serving three consecutive terms.
Ahead of the upcoming election, Chairman Bae said that `Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not' and made the slogan `Everyone Belongs'After playing around the world and listening to the opinions of the field, he pledged 'everyone's IPC' where all players and member states are respected equally and no one is left out. ▶ Establishment of a sustainable development fund and fair and transparent financial execution ▶ Establishment of a member-friendly organizational operation and customized support system ▶ Innovation of a fair and systematic rating system ▶ Establishment of an integrated support system for athletes' sustainable lives after retirement ▶ Establishment of a support system for sports equipment for the disabled ▶ Expand strategic global partnerships and establish international sports solidarity ▶ Introduction of an international standard accounting system and implementation of responsible governance through transparent management disclosure. It has emerged as a strong opponent to block Parsons' third term by rallying votes from regions that have been marginalized, such as Asia and Africa.
However, the active premium of Parsons, who has served as an IPC executive member since 2009, has been at work for eight years since his election in 2017. Despite the intensive checks of current chairman Parsons and vested executives, he was extremely restricted in events and media activities, but he was highly likely to win the election at the Seoul General Assembly, which he prepared closely with all his heart. However, more than a majority of the IPC chose the existing stable path rather than the demands for reform or change. In particular, votes from Europe and North Korea and the U.S., centered on the International Federation of Sports (IF), gathered toward Parsons at the last minute. The Asian and African tax, which supported Chairman Bae, was not enough to overcome vested interests.
After the election, Chung Jin-wan, president of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled, expressed deep regret over the shooting gold medal at the Sydney Paralympics. When he was the head of the Sports Department for the Disabled at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2015, Chairman Chung, who has been sharing the history of Korea's sports for the disabled and miracle for 10 years since he first met Chairman Bae Dong-hyun, a young man who came in person saying he wanted to establish a business team, did not hide his disappointment. While challenging the miraculous election of Chairman Bae at the IPC General Assembly held in Korea, he can continue to travel around remote parts of Africa and Oceania' was full of confidence and saw hope by meeting disabled athletes, leaders, and athletes around the world who aspired to develop and innovate sports for the disabled. Immediately after the disappointing defeat, Chairman Chung said, `We have prepared for a great challenge for a long time. "I traveled to five continents to promote the Paralympic movement and appeal to the fact that I can share growth with Korean sports for the disabled, but I am shocked that the election results are unexpected." "So far, I felt that Asia and Africa were not enough beyond Europe and America. I will humbly accept the election results. I did my best, but I wasn't ready to accept the change, and it was hard to get over the wall of the incumbent chairman"He confessed his disappointment. "Congratulations to Chairman Andrew Parsons. We will work harder to develop sports for the disabled in Korea in the future."
Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
