Jeon Kyung-hoon, the CEO of the Korean food franchise Yeoljeong Korea and a former pharmacist, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Badminton Association of Korea.
Jeon, who has been involved in the pharmaceutical industry for 17 years, took an unconventional path. After operating a 24/7 pharmacy for over a decade, he opened a small restaurant above his pharmacy to provide convenient meals for himself and his staff. This venture eventually grew into the successful 'Yeoljeong Gukbap' brand, a popular Korean soup franchise with nearly 240 stores and annual sales of 130 billion won.
In addition to his business endeavors, Jeon is also the president of the Korean Amateur Badminton Association. His passion for badminton was ignited by a patient who introduced him to the sport. Jeon has since become a significant benefactor of the badminton community, sponsoring the 'Yeoljeong Korea Badminton League,' one of the largest tournaments in the country.
"I would often go straight to the badminton court after closing the pharmacy," Jeon said. "The energy I gained from badminton helped me start my business and achieve rapid growth. I wanted to give back to society through my company, so I began sponsoring the badminton community."
Jeon's dedication to badminton is evident in his commitment to developing both elite and recreational players. As the head of the Korean Amateur Badminton Association, he has implemented numerous initiatives, including prize money for professional tournaments, retirement ceremonies for coaches, and fan events.
Jeon's decision to run for the presidency of the Badminton Association of Korea was inspired by the comments of Olympic gold medalist An Se-young, who criticized the association's management practices.
"I pondered a lot after reading An Se-young's question on social media about who would truly solve the problems," Jeon said. "I realized that I could be the person to bridge the divide and bring about positive change."
Jeon's campaign promises include investing 2.4 billion won in badminton development over four years, building a dedicated badminton stadium, attracting international tournaments, and reforming the association.
"We need a president who is both respected and respectable," Jeon said. "I want to use badminton to have a positive impact on society. I plan to provide financial support for both elite and recreational players during my term. As my company grows, I will be able to contribute even more. My goal is to create a more passionate and healthy society, starting with the badminton community."
The election for the president of the Badminton Association of Korea will be held on January 16th. Jeon will face competition from Choi Seung-tak, the former president of the Daegu Badminton Association, and Kim Dong-mun, a 1996 and 2004 Olympic gold medalist.
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