Kim Jae-youl, president of the International Skating Union (ISU) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, has been elected to the IOC Executive Board. President Lee Jae-myung congratulated Kim, calling his election "a remarkable achievement for the Republic of Korea."
Kim was elected as an IOC Executive Board member at the 145th IOC Session held at the Main Media Center (MMC) of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Saturday (Korea time), receiving 84 votes in favor, 10 against, and 6 abstentions out of 100 valid votes. He was elected alongside new members Ingmar De Vos (Belgium) and Neven Ilic (Chile). Kim is only the second Korean to be elected to the IOC Executive Board, the first since the late Kim Un-yong, former IOC vice president, 38 years ago.
Kim, who serves as president of Samsung Global Research, is the husband of Lee Seo-hyun, president of Samsung C&T (028260.KS), and son-in-law of the late Lee Kun-hee, honorary chairman of Samsung Group. He has led the development of domestic winter sports since becoming president of the Korea Skating Union in 2011, serving as vice chairman of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Organizing Committee and head of the Korean delegation at the 22nd Sochi Winter Olympics. He served as ISU Executive Board member from 2016 to 2022 before becoming the first non-European ISU president in 2022, significantly expanding his presence in international winter sports.
Unlike IOC members, who number up to 115, Executive Board members hold substantive authority to directly determine major Olympic-related policies. The Executive Board, a standing executive and supervisory body, bears overall responsibility for IOC operations and establishes the agenda for the Session. It also approves internal IOC organization and regulations and manages finances. The Executive Board is involved in selecting IOC members and choosing Olympic host cities. The Board screens candidates for new IOC members and recommends Olympic host cities, which the Session then ratifies through voting.
The Board currently consists of 15 members, including Chair Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe), four vice chairs, and 10 members. Executive Board members serve four-year terms beginning at the conclusion of the Session at which they are elected. Members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms and may be re-elected after a minimum two-year waiting period.
Upon hearing of Kim's election, President Lee Jae-myung congratulated him via social media, saying, "This remarkable achievement goes beyond personal honor—it is highly significant in that the Republic of Korea can now play a more leading role at the center of international sports governance."
President Lee added, "Your extensive experience and outstanding leadership will serve as a solid foundation for designing and guiding the future of the Olympic movement," and expressed hope that Kim would "continue to expand international cooperation through sports based on Olympic values of fairness, transparency, peace, and solidarity." He added, "The government will also actively support sports diplomacy and contribute to the international community as a responsible partner."