South Korea’s top former judo official on Wednesday declared his candidacy for the country’s highest sports job, vowing to use his administrative experience to strengthen the foundation for elite sports in the country.

Kim Jung-haeng, former head of the Korea Judo Association, said he will run for the chairmanship of the Korean Olympic Committee. He is currently one of three vice chairmen of the KOC.

The former national judo team star is trying to become the first ex-athlete to head the KOC in the organization’s 66-year history.

“The past chairmen so far have been successful figures from politics and business communities, but we haven’t yet had an athlete to lead the organization,” Kim said. 

“I think it’s about time for a former athlete to bring expertise and guide the future of South Korean sports, building on accomplishments of our predecessors.”

Kim pledged that he will try to expand South Korean sports across different levels.

“If I am elected the KOC chairman, I will strengthen policies to foster elite sports, which form an important pillar for sports in the country,” Kim said.

“I will also try to promote sports for student-athletes and help expand involvement in youth sports.”

The deadline to register for candidacy is Thursday, and the election will be held on Feb. 22. Kim said he has offered to resign as the KJA chairman to run for the KOC post.

Kim, 69, said he decided to jump into the race after Park Yong-sung, the incumbent KOC chief, said he would not seek a second term.

Kim has been one of Park’s closest aides for nearly 30 years and succeeded Park as the KJA chairman in 1995.

Kim said he wouldn’t have entered the election had Park decided to go for his second consecutive term.

This will be Kim’s third crack at the top KOC post after 2002 and 2009.

He pulled out of the 2009 election at the last minute to work for Park’s campaign, instead of running against Park. (Yonhap News)