Merger of two sporting bodies approved by their boards

SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- The boards of the nation's two leading sports bodies
approved their merger plan Tuesday, ending years of debate and friction due to
overlapping operations.
The boards of directors at the Korea Sports Council (KSC) and the Korean Olympic
Committee (KOC) endorsed the merger unanimously at separate meetings in Seoul,
officials said.
The merger will be sealed when the two bodies get approval at their
representatives' meetings on June 24.
The KSC and the KOC, headed by former International Olympic Committee (IOC)
member Park Yong-sung, have competed against each other more than complementing
each other in South Korea's efforts to host international sporting events and
foster domestic sports. The KOC is a special branch of the KSC, but each
organization has a different board.
Critics have long called for reform of the structure to prevent inefficiency and
unnecessary tension.
When the merger becomes final next week, the integrated body, to retain the name
Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) in English, is expected play a major role in
sports policy and the nation's Olympic affairs.
The Korean name of the new body would be closer to the Korea Sports Council.
"This is a landmark decision in South Korea's sports history," said Park after
the results were made known. "The organization will do its best to develop
Korea's sports."
brk@yna.co.kr
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