In 1973, Kim Un-yong (1931–2017), who was 42 at the time and led the Korea Taekwondo Association, mentioned in an interview, "Since 1962, when I served as a diplomat at the South Korean embassy in the United States, I have never missed a session of jumping rope."
Although he stood at 169 cm and weighed 82 kg—not a slim physique—he stated, "I can jump rope, spinning the rope twice with each jump, for 100 consecutive times." In front of journalists, he showed "a leap where he pushes his heavy body up to a 3-meter-high ceiling and gently places both palms on it."
He stated, "The 100-meter physical fitness standard for national athletes is 14 seconds, and I achieved 14.3 seconds at the Taereung Athletes' Village last June," humorously adding, "If you don't believe me, ask someone from the sports association" (September 26, 1973).
Kim is said to have trained in wrestling, judo, and boxing since childhood. He started practicing taekwondo during his second year of high school at Kyungdong High School and achieved a 4th-degree black belt by his final year at Yonsei University. His initial aspiration was to become a diplomat. While pursuing studies in political diplomacy at Yonsei University in 1950, he was getting ready for the higher civil service exam (diplomatic track) when the Korean War began. After working as an interpreter officer and studying in the United States, he became a counselor at the South Korean embassy there, realizing his dream.
Later, while working as a secretary at Cheong Wa Dae in charge of U.S. matters, he unexpectedly received an assignment to head the Taekwondo Association. "I was in deep sorrow and distress for more than a month," he recalled. "Taking over the Taekwondo Association, which was akin to managing a troubled organization..." It ultimately proved to be a fortunate turn of events. Using his remarkable skills and ingenuity, he transformed into a prominent figure in the world of sports.
He established the Kukkiwon, acting as its initial director, and was appointed as the first president of the World Taekwondo Federation. In 1986, he became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), headed the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), and was elevated to the position of senior vice president within the IOC in 1992. He was instrumental in introducing taekwondo as a demonstration sport during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Taekwondo was later recognized as an official Olympic event at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In 1993, he led both the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Korean Olympic Committee, becoming a prominent figure in South Korean sports leadership.
In 2001, he sought the position of IOC president following Juan Antonio Samaranch's tenure but was unsuccessful. On July 16 of that year, during the IOC Congress held in Moscow, Russia, Jacques Rogge, who was the president of the European Olympic Committee, secured victory with 59 votes. Kim obtained 23 votes, while Dick Pound from Canada received 22.
In his later years, he encountered controversy due to questionable events. His son was charged with accepting money from present and former officials of the Taekwondo Association, and he was suspected of hindering the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics campaign. Around $1.6 million in foreign currency was found in a safe at his residence. In 2004, he was detained on allegations of misappropriating 3.8 billion South Korean won in public funds and was given a two-year jail term.
During the trial, Kim stated, "Sports diplomacy naturally includes numerous confidential matters, and disclosing all efforts related to national interests would lead to a 'Korean scandal.'" He asserted, "All actions were taken for the country's advantage and to maintain sports diplomacy." Additionally, he mentioned that in order to secure North Korea's cooperation, which was a competitor in international sports, he gave approximately $1 million to IOC member Jang Ung to ensure taekwondo's inclusion in the Olympics and a joint participation at the Sydney Games. Nevertheless, his arguments were not recognized.
In 2015, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee honored Kim as a "Sports Hero," along with Park Shin-ja, a prominent women's basketball player from the 1960s, and Yang Jung-mo, who won a gold medal at the Montreal Olympics.
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