As the Kukkiwon Articles of Association (AOA) related to the presidential election was completely revised, the scope of forming the electoral college is now finalized.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) gave its final approval on the revision of the AOA requested by Kukkiwon on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Accordingly, the scope of forming the electoral college for the election of the president of Kukkiwon includes: △ President of the World Taekwondo (WT) or one director designated by the President; △ President of the Korea Taekwondo Association or one director designated by the President; △Chairman of the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation or one director designated by the Chairman △ Heads of City/Province Groups under the Korea Taekwondo Association; △ Chairpersons of five continental unions of the World Taekwondo or five directors appointed by the Chairpersons; △ Chairperson of the 9th DAN Highest Dan Level Society or one director designated by the Chairperson; △ Chairperson of Korea Taekwondo Association for the Disabled or one director designated by the Chairperson; △President of Korea Women Taekwondo Federation or one director designated by the President (female only); △ 20 persons from Asia, Europe, Pan-America, Africa and Oceania among the national associations which greatly contribute to the development of Kukkiwon by continent; △ Taekwondo leaders randomly selected at the rate of 10% among the domestic and overseas recommenders who have recommended to screen in recent two years; △ one representative employee of Kukkiwon; and △ one Kukkiwon master dispatched overseas.

The change from the previous AOA with regards to the scope of forming the electoral college is the increase in the number of recommenders for screening from 40 Taekwondo leaders who have contributed to the development of Kukkiwon (35 Koreans and 5 foreigners) to approximately 1,250.

Upon calculating the number of members of the electoral college at the rate of 10% respectively in Korea and overseas among the recommenders for screening who have made recommendation for screening in the recent two years (as of December 31, 2021), there are 940 Koreans and 316 foreigners.

The number of the members of the electoral college, which was the maximum of 75 persons, has greatly increased to approximately 1,300 persons, about 17.4 times larger than the existing number, according to the revision of the AOA.

In addition, the scope of electoral college has been expanded to include the heads of all city/provincial groups of members from the previous two city/provincial groups (City/Provincial Taekwondo Association) members recommended by Korea Taekwondo Association.

Changes were made to the election method as well. The previous election method of majority votes among the valid votes was made simple and clear - the candidate who has received the most valid votes from the electoral college becomes the president.

Furthermore, 'online voting' was made possible even if there were no special reasons such as natural disasters or the influx of infectious diseases.

Kukkiwon requested the Minister of CST's approval on the revised AOA after it was reviewed and resolved at the first temporary meeting of the board of directors for 2022 (on January 25, 2022).

However, the MCST initially rejected the revised AOA, stating that revision of the articles of associations with regards to the expansion of the electoral college and composition plans require a thorough review to ensure a fair and transparent electoral college.

In order for Kukkiwon's revised articles of associations to take effect, it requires a resolution with over two thirds of registered directors' consent, and final approval by the Minister of CST.

Accordingly, Kukkiwon held the second temporary meeting of the board of directors for 2022 due to the rejection of the revised AOA by the Minister of CST on March 17 and resolved the revised AOA by supplementing the scope of forming the electoral college, and requested the Minister of CST's approval again.

As the amendment of the Kukkiwon's articles of association is now complete, Kukkiwon will take follow-up actions including the arrangement of regulations.