By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, has been officially appointed as president of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF).

Chung, who is also chairman of HDC Group, was unanimously appointed as EAFF president at the 6th EAFF Extraordinary General Meeting held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Suwon on July 15.

His term will last approximately eight months, until the next EAFF Regular General Assembly in March 2026.

The EAFF hosts the EAFF E-1 Football Championship (East Asian Cup) every two to three years, with four national teams from East Asia, including South Korea, China, and Japan, participating. This year's tournament was held in South Korea from the July 7 to 16.

The EAFF presidency has traditionally been held by the president of the football association of the host country for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, who concurrently serves as EAFF president for a four-year term.

However, China, which was supposed to host the 2022 tournament, suddenly withdrew from hosting the tournament due to COVID-19. As a result, Kozo Tashima, former president of the Japan Football Association, led the EAFF until March.

The EAFF Secretariat explained, “With this year's tournament to be held in South Korea, Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, was scheduled to succeed Kojo as EAFF president for one year through the presidential election held at the regular general meeting at the end of March.

However, due to the postponement of the Korea Football Association's presidential election, the EAFF presidential election was held at this extraordinary general meeting.”

President Chung stated at the general meeting, “Although it is a short period, I will strive to achieve the common goal of unity and exchange in East Asian football.”