The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced that Choi Young-yul was elected as President of the World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon) in an election held by the NEC on October 11. Mr. Choi will become the first President of Kukkiwon to be chosen through an election following the revision of Kukkiwon’s Article of Association. 

Immediately after the candidates gave speeches voting took place, with 62 of the 74 electors participating (83.8 percent turnout). As there was no candidate with a majority of voters after the first round, Choi Young-yeol won the run-off election with 31 votes, or 50.8 percent of the 61 valid votes.

The NEC said that it was entrusted to manage the entire election, including candidate registration, voting and counting, according to the Act on Elections Entrusted by Public Organizations, etc. and Kukkiwon’s Articles of Association. In particular, the NEC provided simultaneous interpretation of the candidate''s speeches and the voting and counting procedures for non-Korean citizens, including global Taekwondo officials, who participated in the vote.

Since September, the NEC has operated a resident task force within Kukkiwon and has carried out preventive measures, including cracking down on illegal activities such as the provision of money and goods, the disclosure of false information, slander and participation in election activities by executives and staff from the organization, and to ensure the election follows the law.  

The presentation of the certificate for the elected candidate will be held at the NEC on October 14 at 2pm.