Seoul: The national Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung stated on Wednesday that he has yet to decide whether to pursue a third term as the head of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), even though he received clearance from his organization earlier this week. According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee returned from Switzerland, where he attended the World Union of Olympic Cities Sport Summit. During his absence, the sports ministry suspended him on Monday following allegations of illegal activities, including embezzlement and illicit hiring at a national training center for Olympic athletes. Despite his suspension, the KSOC's fair play subcommission cleared him for a potential third term on Tuesday. Lee, who was first elected KSOC president in September 2016 and re-elected in 2021, is allowed to run for a third term if approved by the Commission for Fair Play in Sport. The upcoming election is scheduled for January 14, 2025. Lee expressed that he is contemplating stepping aside after two terms but plans to cons ult with former KSOC presidents and regional sports federations before making a decision. Amid the controversy, Lee filed for a court injunction to overturn the ministry's suspension. Inspectors accused him of manipulating job requirements to favor a friend of his daughter and bypassing protocols to lower an applicant's salary. Additional allegations include authorizing payments for equipment provided to Olympic athletes by an associate seeking a key position for the Paris Olympics and distributing sponsored goods without proper documentation. Lee refuted these allegations, asserting his innocence. During his European visit, he discussed the situation with International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials, who expressed concerns about the potential impact on the KSOC's autonomy. Lee's membership in the IOC, which is contingent on his KSOC presidency, is set to expire next year. Although the IOC allows extensions beyond the age limit of 70, these are typically reserved for those with notable contributions to t he Olympic Movement. The sports ministry criticized the KSOC's decision to clear Lee for a third term, asserting a loss of confidence in the committee's fairness and vowing to take necessary actions to address the issue. .