ID :
44880
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 09:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44880
The shortlink copeid
KBO nominates non-political figure as new president
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's baseball governing body on Monday
nominated the former chief of an educational foundation as its new president, on
condition that he not be paid.
Seven out of eight board members of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) picked
Yoo Young-koo, the former head of Myongji Educational Foundation and current
chief of its medical branch, officials said. One member was absent but entrusted
his vote to a fellow member, the KBO said.
If approved, Yoo would be the second non-political figure to take the helm of the
organization since its establishment in 1982.
"We will hear Yoo's policy and will recommend him to the general committee as
soon as possible," said Shin Young-cheol, chairman of the board. "We must first
confirm whether he is willing to serve without pay. We believe that he will
accept the presidency."
Yoo will need approval from three-fourths of the general committee members, who
plan to convene a meeting before Sunday.
The former education chief served as the acting head of KBO after its former
president, Shin Sang-woo, resigned in December last year. Yoo stepped down from
the position six days later after coming under pressure from the culture
ministry, which tried to appoint a political figure to replace him.
The ministry dropped its plan in early February, saying that the government would
not interfere in the KBO's electoral process after public criticism mounted at
what was viewed as a government handout to retired politicians.
If approved, Yoo will be the second KBO president without a political background
since Park Yong-oh, former owner of the Seoul-based Doosan Bears, who led the
institution from 1998 to 2005.
The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association opposes Yoo's nomination,
however, and demanded in a statement Friday that the new KBO leader should be
ethically transparent. The association raised suspicions that a construction
company Yoo once managed filed for bankruptcy and that he is still liable for
unresolved debt issues.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
nominated the former chief of an educational foundation as its new president, on
condition that he not be paid.
Seven out of eight board members of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) picked
Yoo Young-koo, the former head of Myongji Educational Foundation and current
chief of its medical branch, officials said. One member was absent but entrusted
his vote to a fellow member, the KBO said.
If approved, Yoo would be the second non-political figure to take the helm of the
organization since its establishment in 1982.
"We will hear Yoo's policy and will recommend him to the general committee as
soon as possible," said Shin Young-cheol, chairman of the board. "We must first
confirm whether he is willing to serve without pay. We believe that he will
accept the presidency."
Yoo will need approval from three-fourths of the general committee members, who
plan to convene a meeting before Sunday.
The former education chief served as the acting head of KBO after its former
president, Shin Sang-woo, resigned in December last year. Yoo stepped down from
the position six days later after coming under pressure from the culture
ministry, which tried to appoint a political figure to replace him.
The ministry dropped its plan in early February, saying that the government would
not interfere in the KBO's electoral process after public criticism mounted at
what was viewed as a government handout to retired politicians.
If approved, Yoo will be the second KBO president without a political background
since Park Yong-oh, former owner of the Seoul-based Doosan Bears, who led the
institution from 1998 to 2005.
The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association opposes Yoo's nomination,
however, and demanded in a statement Friday that the new KBO leader should be
ethically transparent. The association raised suspicions that a construction
company Yoo once managed filed for bankruptcy and that he is still liable for
unresolved debt issues.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
