Anchor: Former presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon will officially declare his bid for the FIFA presidency on August 17 in Paris. Chung, who was previously president of the Korea Football Association, is drawing up plans to take on his biggest rival Michel Platini the current head of European football.
Our Park Jong-hong has this report.
 
Report: Former president of the Korea Football Association Chung Mong-joon’s bid for FIFA’s top post will soon be official.
 
At a news conference in Seoul, Chung said he would declare his candidacy on August 17 in Paris, the heart of European football.
 
[Sound bite: Chung Mong-joon - Honorary Chairman of Korea Football Association (Korean)]
“It’s not easy for a Korean to make a bid for the post of FIFA President. But I feel it is definitely a worthy cause. When the Korean people take an interest in it and offer their support, I feel I can put up a good fight.”
 
As for the venue for the declaration, Chung explained the significance of Paris where the FIFA headquarters was established 111 years ago.
 
It is also seen as an expression of his will to change the culture of exclusivity within FIFA amid the corruption scandals surrounding current FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
 
So far, three people have thrown their hats into the ring to claim FIFA’s top post. President of the Union of European Football Associations Michel Platini along with soccer legends Diego Maradona and Coimbra Zico have officially declared their bids.
 
The top dog is considered to be Platini who has a support base in Europe and receives the backing of Blatter.
 
Chung is expected to join hands with Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and field a single candidacy to stand up against Platini.

Chung, Hyundai empire founder Jung Ju-yung's sixth son, is the largest shareholder in Hyundai Heavy Industries. He served seven terms in the South Korean National Assembly.

On Friday, the former South Korean presidential candidate left for Wuhan, China to watch the East Asian Cup. While there, he plans to meet with Asian soccer authorities to explain why he is running for FIFA president and seek their support.
 
The next FIFA president will be decided in Zurich on February 26 next year in a vote of 209 member countries.
Park Jong-hong, KBS World Radio News.