The year 2025 is expected to bring a major shift in the landscape of Korean Taekwondo. 

Center of this change is the upcoming Asia Taekwondo Union (ATU) presidential election, scheduled for July 24. 

As the first pivotal event in this transformation, it carries significant importance.

The key focus of attention in the Korean Taekwondo community is the contest between Kim Sang-jin, Vice President of the ATU, and Yang Jin-bang, President of the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA), and who will ultimately assume leadership of the ATU.

Depending on the outcome, there may be a by-election for the KTA presidency, and the results could also greatly influence the upcoming elections for the Kukkiwon President and Board Chairman.

Naturally, this could also significantly impact the post-Chungwon Cho (President of World Taekwondo, WT) succession structure.

Though Chungwon Cho is expected to be re-elected for a seventh term without much opposition at the World Taekwondo (WT) presidential election scheduled for October in Wuxi, the question of who will gain a foothold for the 2029 election is closely tied to the ATU results.

Yang Jin-bang, who was re-elected as KTA President at the end of last year, is a prominent figure recognized both within and outside the Taekwondo world, having held leadership or board member roles across all four major Taekwondo institutions in Korea: World Taekwondo (WT), Kukkiwon, KTA, and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation. 

As such, he is seen as a strong contender to succeed Chungwon Cho. 

However, despite securing his second term as KTA President, Yang has drawn criticism from many Taekwondo experts for seemingly prioritizing his ambitions to run for ATU and WT leadership positions over his current responsibilities. 

This has led to concerns that his ambitions may be excessive.

While it's natural for individuals to have desires for self-advancement, many argue that excessive greed—especially when it appears to encroach on the roles and responsibilities of others—can be seen as selfish behavior that harms the shared rules and environment of the Taekwondo community.

From this perspective, a key point of interest in the election is whether the heads of national Taekwondo associations and ATU executive committee members—who hold voting power—will interpret Yang Jin-bang's candidacy as a sign of positive ambition or as overreaching greed. 

A second focal point is the candidacy of Kim Sang-jin.

Beyond his resume, scrutiny will likely focus on whether he has demonstrated sincerity and consistency during his tenure as ATU Vice President and Executive Committee member.

With just five days remaining until the election, it remains uncertain who holds the upper hand. 

The current mood reflects the Korean proverb: “Be deaf for three years, and mute for three years”—meaning it’s a time when one must pretend not to hear or remain silent even if one wants to speak.

This illustrates the tense and cautious atmosphere leading up to the election. 

Not only for this election, but for all matters in life, the old saying “You reap what you sow” may well apply to the outcome of this vote.

The president of World Children Taekwondo Union/
Sang-gi Rhee  sgrhee21@nvp.co.kr

editor in chief Jay Yoo_ seeyou@nvp.co.kr / kedsports@gmail.com