Former Sports Minister Kim Jip, who successfully led the 1988 Seoul Olympics, died in Daegu on Saturday. He was 86.
Born in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1926, Kim was a medical doctor who later served as a board director and vice chairman of the Korean Olympic Committee in the early 1980s.
 |
Kim Jip |
Kim was at the center of the country’s sports scene two decades ago as he led Korean delegates in two historic events ― the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Right after the Olympics in 1988, he was appointed Sports Minister and served in the post for two years. Kim also was an elected lawmaker for two terms from 1981 to 1988.
Kim was awarded the Moran Medal, the second highest civil decoration in Korea, and the Cheongryong Medal, Korea’s highest order of sporting merit. He is survived by his wife and three children.
By Cho Chung-un (
christory@heraldcorp.com)
