Chung will declare his FIFA bid in Paris

Former FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon said he will officially declare his bid for the FIFA presidency on Aug. 17 in Paris.

In a press conference held in Seoul on Thursday, Chung, 63, said he chose Paris because the French capital is FIFA’s birthplace.

The former Korea Football Association (KFA) president will first visit the UEFA Super Cup match in Georgia on Aug. 12 (Korean time) to meet European football officials before going to Paris.

Chung already said to media last month that he has decided to run for the top job in football.

“I’m going to say what I have been saying [in the official announcement],” he said.

Chung also said he will meet UEFA President Michel Platini before announcing his bid. Platini, 60, already said he will run for the job.

Chung, currently honorary president of the KFA, said he thinks Platini and himself are top contenders for the job.

The FIFA president election will be held on Feb.26.

Chung, a former lawmaker and the largest shareholder of Hyundai Heavy Industries, added that he hasn’t talked about his FIFA presidency bid with President Park Geun-hye, but he did meet with foreign affairs officials in the Blue House.

He also said an alliance of Asian countries is important, adding that if Japan supports him, he will have a “99 percent” chance of getting elected.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]