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[스포츠조선 한동훈 기자] The position of president of the Korea Tennis Association, which had been vacant for over 15 months, has finally officially found its owner. On the 19th, the Korea Sports Council sent an official letter to the Korea Tennis Association, notifying it of its ‘approval as president of the Korea Tennis Association.’ The term of office runs from this day until the day before the regular general meeting in 2029. The Tennis Association was designated as a management organization in 2024 and had an eventful year, including holding a by-election for president without receiving approval from the Korea Sports Council. September 6, 2023 Former Chairman Chung Hee-gyun resigned amid various suspicions of corruption. The Tennis Association attempted to hold a by-election in October of that year, but the Korea Sports Council blocked it. The Korea Sports Council pointed out that the composition of the Tennis Association’s electorate was incorrect.
Afterwards, the Tennis Association was left without a leader, even receiving an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection. The Tennis Association began operating under the acting chairman Son Young-ja.
The Tennis Association held a by-election again in June and elected Chairman Joo Won-hong. However, the Korea Sports Council did not approve it. The problem was the 4.6 billion won in debt owed by the Tennis Association. The Korea Sports Council judged that the Tennis Association lacked the ability to repay its debt. The Korea Sports Council designated the Tennis Association as the management organization in July.
The situation eventually went to court. The Tennis Association filed an application for a temporary injunction to suspend the effectiveness of the management organization. When the Seoul Eastern District Court ruled in favor of the Tennis Association in October, the Korea Sports Council effectively lost its cause.
The Korea Sports Council later reviewed in detail whether to approve Chairman Joo Won-hong. Eventually, the Tennis Association began to normalize as Chairman Joo Won-hong received official approval.
Reporter Han Dong-hoon dhhan@sportschosun.com