Lee Ki-heung's conference to run for the chairman of the sports committee on the 23rd...Calls for Unification of the Opposition

Lee Ki-heung, chairman of the Korea Sports Council, whose duties are currently suspended due to the government's request for an investigation, will officially declare a "three-term challenge" on the 23rd.

Chairman Lee said in a YTN call that Chairman Lee Ki-heung will hold a press conference next Monday at 2 p.m. at the Olympic Parktel in Bangi-dong, Seoul.

Chairman Lee, who has been the head of the sports association since 2016, plans to explain why he will serve three consecutive terms, his position on various allegations of misconduct raised against him, and his sports policy blueprint.

Chairman Lee recently told some media that a high-ranking government official urged him not to run for the chairman of the sports association, proposing other positions such as the president of the Korea Freedom Federation.

As the Board of Audit and Inspection and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are currently conducting an all-round special audit of the sports association, Chairman Lee reportedly held an interview on the eve of candidate registration in preparation for various "emergency variables."

With seven opposition candidates alone standing against Chairman Lee, there are growing calls for a one-on-one structure.Park Chang-beom, former president of the Wushu Association, who fought a hunger strike for 11 days shouting

against Lee Ki-heung, stressed that if Lee Ki-heung succeeds in serving three consecutive terms because the unification of candidates is not achieved, it will be recorded in history as the candidates' fault.

Former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo also said he would lead the unification with an open mind to bring about change and innovation in the sports society.

Kang Shin-wook, an honorary professor at Dankook University, Kang Tae-sun, chairman of the Seoul Sports Council, Kim Yong-joo, former secretary-general of the Gangwon Sports Council, Oh Joo-young, former president of Sepak Takraw, and Yoo Seung Min, former president of the Table Tennis Association, are also known to agree on the need for unification.

To run for the chairman of the sports committee on January 14th next year, you have to pay 70 million won in deposit, and you can only get your money back if you win or die, or if you get more than 20% of the vote.