[스포츠한국 심규현 기자]Ahn Se-young’s candid critique of the Badminton Association has culminated in a positive resolution. Following a comprehensive national investigation, Kim Taek-gyu, the president at the heart of the association’s controversies, was ultimately not re-elected.
Chairman Kim Taek-gyu. ⓒSports Korea
On the 23rd, the 32nd Korean Badminton Association Presidential Election took place at the Ruby Hall on the 2nd floor of the Daejeon Sunshine Hotel.
This election garnered unprecedented attention, largely due to Ahn Se-young’s bold statement in August of the previous year.
Shortly after securing the gold medal in the women’s badminton singles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ahn Se-young openly criticized the Badminton Association’s unfair practices, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. During a mid-term briefing on September 10, the ministry highlighted several issues raised by Ahn Se-young, including concerns about sponsors, the participation of non-national team players in international competitions, violations of the Korea Badminton Association’s subsidy management law, and potential embezzlement and breach of trust by Kim Taek-gyu, the association’s president.
Despite these allegations, Chairman Kim remained resolute in his candidacy for the 32nd Presidential election. On the 8th, the Badminton Association’s Election Steering Committee declared Chairman Kim a ‘disqualified candidate’, but he contested this decision and sought a court injunction to invalidate the candidate registration. The court partially upheld his appeal, reinstating his candidacy.The election became a four-way race involving Choi Seung-tak, former president of Daegu Badminton Association (CEO of Taesung industry), Jeon Gyeong-hoon, president of the Korea Business Badminton Federation (CEO of Passion Korea), and Kim Dong-moon, an Olympic gold medalist and professor at Wonkwang University’s Department of Sports Science.
ⓒYonhap News
The 32nd Korean Badminton Association presidential election unfolded amidst numerous challenges. Ultimately, Professor Kim Dong-moon emerged victorious, securing 64 out of 154 valid votes. He surpassed current Chairman kim Taek-gyu, who received 43 votes, Jeon Gyeong-hoon wiht 39 votes, and Choi Seung-tak with 8 votes.
The reform of the Korea Badminton Association,initiated by Ahn Se-young’s decisive remarks,is anticipated to gain further momentum with the departure of President Kim Taek-gyu.
Sports Korea Reporter shim Gyu-hyeon [email protected]
Copyright ⓒ Sports Korea. Reproduction and redistribution prohibited.
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A New Era for Korean Badminton: Ahn Se-young’s Advocacy Leads to transformative Change
the Korean badminton community has witnessed a seismic shift, driven by the courageous actions of its brightest star, Ahn Se-young. Her public critique of the Korean Badminton Association and its leadership has culminated in a landmark victory for openness and fairness in the sport.
The 32nd Korean Badminton Association Presidential Election, held on the 23rd at the Daejeon Sunshine Hotel’s Ruby Hall, marked a decisive turning point. Kim Taek-gyu, the embattled president embroiled in allegations of mismanagement and misconduct, was ultimately not re-elected. This outcome was largely shaped by Ahn Se-young’s bold stance in August 2023, when she openly called out the association’s unfair practices shortly after her historic gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her revelations triggered a comprehensive examination by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which uncovered a litany of issues. These included mismanagement of sponsorships,exclusion of non-national team players from international competitions,violations of subsidy management laws,and allegations of embezzlement and breach of trust against kim Taek-gyu. Despite these findings, Chairman Kim vehemently contested his disqualification by the Badminton Association’s Election Steering Committee, even securing a partial court injunction to reinstate his candidacy.
However,the overwhelming sentiment within the badminton community—fueled by Ahn Se-young’s advocacy—prevailed. The election results signal a fresh start for Korean badminton, with the promise of greater transparency, equity, and accountability moving forward.
Ahn Se-young’s actions have not only elevated her status as a world-class athlete but also as a trailblazer for systemic change. her courage to speak out against injustice has inspired a new chapter in the sport, one that prioritizes the well-being of players and the integrity of Korean badminton as a whole.
As the badminton community looks ahead, the focus now shifts to the incoming leadership and their ability to restore trust and foster a more inclusive and ethical habitat. Thanks to Ahn Se-young’s unwavering determination, the future of Korean badminton appears brighter than ever.
