S. Korea's Kim Jae-youl reelected as head of top global skating body

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean sports administrator Kim Jae-youl was reelected as head of the world's skating governing body Friday.

Kim earned his second term as president of the International Skating Union (ISU) at the ISU Congress in Tenerife, Spain. The 57-year-old ran unopposed in the election.

Kim was first elected to the top ISU post in 2022, becoming the first non-European leader of the organization in its 130-year history.

The South Korean official is largely credited with implementing successful, innovative changes to all skating disciplines and with introducing skating sports to nontraditional winter sports countries, such as Thailand, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates.

"I thank you for your support and your trust," Kim said after his reelection. "I assure you that I am as committed as I was back in 2022 to lead this organization for the future of our sport."

Kim is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and joined the IOC's Executive Board during the Milan-Cortina Winter Games this past February.

He was elected as an IOC member in 2023 in his capacity as the head of the global governing body of an Olympic sport. Thanks to his ISU reelection, Kim will retain his IOC membership.

Kim is the son-in-law of late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

This Sept. 19, 2025, file photo by the Associated Press shows International Skating Union President Kim Jae-youl addressing the media during the figure skating qualification event for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Beijing. (Yonhap)