Park Seh Jik said Thursday that he will step down as chairman of South Korea's 2002 World Cup Organizing Committee (KOWOC) in the wake of recent criticism in order to "avoid further controversy."
Three days after saying that he intended to leave the decision up to South Korean President Kim Dae Jung, Park has bowed to pressure from government officials and the domestic media after just two years in charge of KOWOC.
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| Park Seh Jik |
"In order to avoid more upheaval, I have decided to resign," Park told reporters in Seoul.
Park is expected to wrap up his duties within the next week, KOWOC officials said.
The 67-year-old Park, who also served as top organizer for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, is on bad terms with Chung Mong Joon, president of the South Korean Football Association, and last month came under attack for his handling of KOWOC's $16 million annual budget.
Delays to construction of South Korea's 10 stadiums for the 2002 World Cup, to be cohosted with Japan, and criticism of his alleged authoritarian style of leadership have frustrated government ministers, who have lobbied President Kim to replace Park.
Park is expected to be replaced at KOWOC by an experienced political figure, South Korean soccer sources said.