Seoul: The South Korean candidate for president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said Thursday he will emphasize "concrete improvement" and will create an environment where "everyone is respected."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Bae Dong-hyun, president of the Korea Para Nordic Skiing Federation, is aiming to become the first South Korean head of the IPC, the world's top para sports organization. In an election scheduled for Saturday in Seoul during the IPC General Assembly, Bae will be up against the incumbent leader from Brazil, Andrew Parsons.

Presenting his candidature in front of the IPC membership Thursday, Bae laid out his seven-point manifesto, covering issues ranging from sustainable financial growth and balanced governance to strengthening global partnerships. "I believe the IPC must serve as a supportive and facilitative body, empowering all members to act independently while fostering collaboration," Bae said. "I will prioritize concrete improvement: better training conditions, broader equipment access, and expanded development programs. I also plan to introduce bold reforms to the classification platform. I will work with partners to secure funding beyond the IPC's core budget by broadening corporate engagement to create a sustainable development fund for all members.

Bae is also president of Changsung Group and chairman of both the BDH Paras Foundation and the Changsung Scholarship Foundation. He served as South Korea's chef de mission at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics and the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics.