College professor denied top job in pro football league

By Joo Kyung-don

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- Shin Moon-sun, a former footballer now working as a college professor, was denied the top job in South Korea's pro football league on Monday after coming up short in an election.

Shin, 58, was the only candidate in the K League commissioner election and needed a majority of the votes from 23 electoral delegates to succeed Kwon Oh-gap. However, the footballer-turned-professor garnered only five votes from the delegates comprised of 21 representatives from the K League clubs and two Korea Football Association (KFA) officials.

Shin was trying to become the first former player to become the league commissioner. Since the K League's administrative body was formed in 1994, all of its leaders have been owners or executives of local conglomerates.

Shin ended his playing career at 27 due to an injury. After retirement, the former Yukong Elephants FC player made a name for himself as one of the top football commentators in the country.

In 2014, Shin became the president of South Korean club Seongnam FC but quit a year later. He now teaches at Myongji University Graduate School of Archival Sciences in Seoul.

Following Shin's leadership bid failure, the league office said Kwon, 65, will remain in his post until a new leader is elected. Kwon, vice chairman of shipbuilding giant Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, previously announced he would not seek a second term due to his company issues.

kdon@yna.co.kr
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