The Final Showdown of a Former Judge is a "Fair Basketball Court"

Kim Hee-ok, Newly Appointed KBL Commissioner on the 1st
Recommended by Late Jeong Sang-young, KCC Chairman
Basketball to Play a Role in National Integration
Efforts to Ensure Ethics and Fairness Like NBA's David Stern

Kim Hee-ok, President of the Korean Professional Basketball League (former Constitutional Court Justice). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "This is truly my last Public Service."

Kim Hee-ok, president of the Korean Basketball League (KBL), who transformed from a legal professional with 40 years of experience into a sports figure, said in an interview at the KBL Center on the 13th, "I have bet the last challenge of my life on basketball." President Kim previously served as Vice Minister of Justice, Constitutional Court Justice, President of Dongguk University, and Chairman of the Government Officials Ethics Committee before being inaugurated as KBL president on the 1st of this month. He has become more diligent than before and is deeply immersed in basketball. This is the same even when watching TV news or using his smartphone. He also studies during his off hours. He has obtained and is reading materials summarizing the achievements of prominent leaders in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, using them as role models for the path he intends to take.

Behind President Kim’s appointment, despite having no prior connection to the basketball world, is the late Jeong Sang-young, Honorary Chairman of KCC. In domestic professional basketball, the presidency rotates among the 10 teams. When it was KCC’s turn, Chairman Jeong recommended President Kim before his passing in January this year, highly valuing his ability and integrity demonstrated in public service. The two also became close through basketball. Both alumni of Dongguk University, they watched basketball on a large TV in Chairman Jeong’s personal space at the company whenever they had time. Chairman Jeong, an avid basketball fan, would provide commentary, and President Kim enjoyed the game while listening. President Kim recalled, "Chairman Jeong loved basketball so much that he said, ‘There is nothing more fun in the world than basketball.’ He often told me that sports competitiveness is national power and asked me several times to take charge of and develop our basketball."

Heeok Kim, President of the Korean Professional Basketball League (former Constitutional Court Justice). / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

With Chairman Jeong’s will in mind, President Kim’s eyes are set on the United States. He said, "Historically, the power that united the United States, which experienced many civil wars, was professional sports. These days, our country also faces division and various conflicts, and I believe basketball can play that role." As a former legal professional and NBA commissioner, he cited David Stern and Adam Silver as examples, saying, "The first thing Stern did was to secure ethics and fairness. He established dress codes and strict punishment rules for drug use, creating the NBA as it is today." He added, "I also intend to secure ethics and fairness first." His principle is that members must focus and ensure fair game management to create games that attract and hold fans’ attention and visits.

President Kim said, "Looking at the data, judgment issues have gradually improved compared to before. We must continue that trend." He also mentioned, "We should refer to the NBA’s judgment system and secure human and material resources to improve judgment accuracy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.