Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (232) President Jeong Mong-gyu delivered his New Year's address, pledging to restore trust among football fans through transparency, accountability, and adherence to principles. He outlined four key priorities for the year, including implementing three reform initiatives, supporting the national football team's performance in the FIFA (153) North Central America World Cup, establishing Korea Football Park as a national platform, and pursuing the bid for the AFC Asian Cup. He emphasized the importance of fan support and the KFA's commitment to fulfilling their expectations.

Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KOC) President Seung Min Ryu has declared 2026 as the 'K-Sports Year,' emphasizing the intention to showcase the strength of Korean sports globally. With a series of major international competitions scheduled throughout the year, including the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the World Baseball Classic, the FIFA World Cup, the Asian Games, and the Dakar Summer Youth Olympics, Ryu pledged comprehensive support for athletes to focus on their performance. He highlighted 2025 as a year of change and innovation, with the KOC focusing on establishing a fair system and strengthening Korea's presence in the international sports community. The establishment of the Korea Sports Talent Development Institute was also noted as a key achievement. Ryu also committed to fostering a fair and transparent sports environment and introducing a new athlete development system.

North Korea's anti-doping agency has updated its website with educational materials on anti-doping, including guidelines on reporting, understanding testing, and the risks of supplements. This initiative aims to educate athletes about potential doping risks and adhere to international standards. The country's recent efforts follow a period of non-compliance and aim to improve its international standing.

The South Korean men's national football team, led by coach Hong Myeong-bo, commenced training at the newly established Korea National Football Training Center in Cheonan on November 10, 2025. This marks the end of the 'Paju era,' and the beginning of the 'Cheonan era' after the Korean Football Association's decision to build its own training center, which is four times the size of the Paju center, to gain independence. The team will train there before matches against Bolivia and Ghana. The Cheonan facility, which cost approximately 400 billion won and includes 11 football fields, a main stadium, and advanced facilities, received temporary approval in September 2025. The Korea Football Association plans to secure additional funds through naming sponsorships.

Hwang Ui-jo, who received a suspended prison sentence for illegal filming, is effectively banned from Korean football. The KFA clarified that Hwang is in a 'quasi-permanent suspension' state, preventing him from participating as a player, coach, or referee in Korea for 20 years, due to violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes. This aligns with regulations preventing individuals convicted of sexual offenses from national team selection or registration with the KFA. While his overseas career isn't directly affected, any future attempts to register with a KFA-affiliated team will be blocked. The KFA has also inputted his registration disqualification into their registration system. The victim's representative criticized the court's decision, citing the lack of consideration for secondary victimization.