Wuxi: Choue Chung-won has been elected to his seventh and final term as the leader of World Taekwondo (WT), the global governing body for the Korean martial art. Choue, 77, was elected to WT presidency in an election held during the WT General Assembly in Wuxi, China, on Thursday. Choue, who ran unopposed, received 143 out of 149 votes in favor of his presidency, with five votes against him and one abstention.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Choue remains the only South Korean leader of an international federation for a Summer Olympic sport. At the 2024 WT General Assembly, Choue said he would seek his final term in 2025. Choue began his tenure as WT chief by replacing then President Kim Un-yong in June 2004 to complete the remainder of Kim's term, following Kim's arrest for embezzlement and bribery allegations. Choue was then reelected in 2005 for a full, four-year mandate, and won the next three elections in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021.

Choue was the sole candidate in 2013, 2017 and 2021. On Choue's watch, taekwondo has undergone several rule changes designed to help it become more entertaining for a wider global audience -- including the introduction of headgear and chest protectors with electronic sensors for scoring. Choue's new term will begin Oct. 31, one day after the conclusion of the 2025 world championships in Wuxi, and will end on the final day of the 2029 world championships.