The KOC will establish an international sports cooperation office in Lausanne, Switzerland, a ‘sports-centered city’.
The KOC held its 2023 Extraordinary General Assembly at the Olympia Hall of the Olympic Parktel in Seoul today (Jan. 1) and reported on current issues in the sports world.
The KOC decided to strategically attract major international competitions and conferences and strengthen its international sports capabilities by assigning professional staff to the Lausanne International Sports Cooperation Office. With 49 international sports organizations, Lausanne is considered a hub for international sports cooperation.
Until now, the KOC has been limited to a few specific sports, such as archery and baseball, which has limited its ability to strengthen international sports cooperation in general.
“Through our network of contacts with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), we can identify international sports trends, strengthen communication between international federations and domestic organizations, and help identify and train key international executives,” explains Lee Ki-heung, president of the Korean Sports Federation.
However, Lee expressed disappointment that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been lukewarm about the establishment of the Lausanne office.
“As the IOC is offering to provide accommodation for its staff in Lausanne, it will be organized as soon as the MOC gives its approval, but the ministry has not yet given its permission,” Lee said, adding, “We will soon make a resolution asking for the ministry’s cooperation.”
In addition, the KOC has decided to establish the National Sports Council, which will be the control tower for sports administration.
Until now, sports-related tasks were divided among 12 ministries, with the main ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, being limited in its role as a control tower due to its broad jurisdiction over sports, culture, arts, media, and tourism.
They also explained that the existing National Sports Policy Committee is an advisory committee and does not have an executive function.
In response, the KASF announced that it will push for the establishment of the National Sports Council, a consensus-based centralized administrative body directly under the prime minister that includes private experts.
To this end, it will form a promotion committee within this month to prepare for the appointment of members and conduct public relations activities such as a signature campaign for athletes in January next year.