Kim Un-yong
to Resign as Assemblyman, WTF head
Kim Un-yong, under investigation for allegedly violating foreign
currency laws and other misdeeds, said Friday that he would
resign from the National Assembly.
During a press conference at the National Assembly building
in Yeoido, Kim, wiping away tears, said that he has decided
to step down as a legislator and as the head of the World Taekwondo
Federation (WTF) and the World Taekwondo Headquarters (WTH).
In a prepared statement, he said that his sports diplomacy activities
have aroused much public criticism, and for this he felt responsible.
He said he had only himself to blame for his current circumstances,
and offered his deep apologies to the citizens for causing them
so much distress.
Kim said that he did all he could to develop Korean sports for
30 years, including Korea’s successful holding of the
1988 Summer Olympic Games and the designation of taekwondo -
a Korean national sport - as an official Olympic event. He confessed,
however, to having made mistakes during that time.
Kim said that while he was leaving the sporting world that he’s
been a part of all his life, he would always love both his country
and his country’s sports, and continue to work toward
the development of Korean sports, even if he no longer had an
official position.
He didn’t respond, however, to questions about whether
he would also resign as vice president of the International
Olympic Committee.
Kim is under investigation for corporate embezzlement, including
the misappropriation of WTF funds, and violations of foreign
exchange laws.
News from Chosun Ilbo, South Korea