Seoul, Korea, June 14, 2022: The Korean sports community has celebrated with pride the election of Kim Jae-youl as the new president of the International Skating Union.
Kim, 53, was elected ISU president at the ISU Ordinary Congress in Phuket, Thailand on June 10 and became the first president from outside Europe in the organisation’s 130-year history.
The new ISU president is a former Korea Skating Union president and is the son-in-law of the late Samsung Group Chairman, Lee Kun-hee.
The Korea Times focused on the fact that Kim was the first non-European president.
“Kim's election marks a milestone in the long history of the ISU, which was established in 1892,” said the Korea Times.
“Eleven presidents have served the skating body over 130 years, all hailing from Europe until now. The election results reflect the ISU embracing greater diversity, for the organisation and skating to reach new fans, athletes and markets around the world.”
Korea Skating Union President Yoon Hong-geun added: "Kim is the right person to introduce change and innovation at the ISU and promote growth. His diverse experience in Korean and international sports organisations, as well as his business background, led to his successful election."
Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim had been one of 10 members of the ISU Council since 2016. He recently served on the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The Korea Joong Ang Daily reported Kim as saying: "Many ordinary Koreans are fans of skating, both figure and speed. My hope is that more people around the world will also be able to experience and participate in winter sports through skating. As president of ISU, I will work to promote skating to reach more new fans and markets around the world.”
Previously, Kim was KSU president from 2011 to 2016; vice president of international affairs for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics; vice president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; and head of the South Korean delegation to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.