By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

Ha Hyung-joo (62), a 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medalist and Korean judo legend, has been appointed as the 14th chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO). 

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon handed over the letter of appointment to Ha at a conference room at the Seoul Pavilion of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 18. Ha is the first former Olympian to hold the position and will serve a three-year term from Nov. 18, 2024, to Nov. 17, 2027.

Appointed by the President at the recommendation of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, Ha was selected through an open recruitment process and a review by an executive recommendation committee comprised of athletes, businessmen and lawyers. 

He was deemed to be the right person to lead the organization, a legacy of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, to address a variety of issues, including promoting sports welfare and fostering the sports industry.

Ha Hyung-joo, Korean judo legend

Ha Hyung-joo, a native of Jinju, Gyeongnam, graduated from Busan Sport High School and Dong-A University before becoming the first Korean judo man to win a gold medal in the men's under 95 kg category at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He went on to win gold medals at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and other international competitions, raising the profile of Korean judo worldwide.

After his retirement, he continued to contribute to the development of the sport as a professor of physical education, sports administrator, and politician. He also became a symbol of inter-Korean unity at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, where he lit the flame alongside North Korean judo hero Kye Soon Hee.

This year, his achievements were highlighted once again when he was named a 2024 Korean Sports Hero by the Korea Sport and Olympic Committee.

Leading the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation with athletic expertise

Ha served as the permanent auditor of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation for about a year and four months, contributing to the creation of a transparent organizational culture. This experience is regarded as a strength in maintaining the continuity of the foundation's work and increasing trust within and outside the organization.

“I will do my best to inherit the noble spirit of the Seoul Olympics and contribute to the welfare of athletes and the development of the sports industry,” Ha said, adding that his top priority will be to stabilize the publicization of “sports toto,” which will be implemented from next year.

Korea Sports Promotion Foundation was established with the surplus from the Seoul Olympics and is a key organization responsible for more than 90% of Korea's sports finances. 

It serves as the backbone of Korean sports by supporting various fields such as daily sports, sports industry, and sports talent development through the National Sports Promotion Fund, which is about KRW 2 trillion annually.

Aiming to foster the future sports industry and normalize daily physical activity

Ha plans to strengthen the welfare of athletes and foster the sports industry as the country's future growth engine through the convergence of sports and high technology. In particular, he will focus on creating a sports environment to address the declining birthrate.

“Based on his expertise and external recognition in the field of physical education, he will help redefine the identity of the organization and create an environment where everyone can easily enjoy physical activities,” said an official from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation.

“I feel a great sense of responsibility as a sports expert, and I will do my best to meet the expectations of athletes,” said Ha. It will be interesting to see what his leadership will bring to the future of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation and Korean athletics.