Lee Kee-heung, head of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), speaks at a press conference in Seoul, Dec. 23, 2024. Yonhap

The head of the national Olympic committee will remain suspended after losing his appeal of a recent court ruling on Friday.

The Seoul High Court dismissed an appeal by Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), to overturn an earlier decision by the Seoul Administration Court. On Dec. 13, the administration court rejected Lee's application for an injunction against the sports ministry's decision to suspend him from his duties for alleged improper conduction, including illegal hiring practices and misuse of funds.

Lee said he will appeal the latest decision and take the case to the Supreme Court.

In appealing the December decision to the Seoul High Court, Lee claimed that it was debatable whether the sports ministry even had the authority to suspend him.

Lee is pursuing his third term as KSOC president. The election is scheduled for Tuesday and Lee is up against five other candidates.

Despite the cloud of allegations over his head, Lee was cleared by the KSOC's Commission for Fair Play in Sport to run in the election.

According to KSOC statutes, its president may run for a second term without restrictions, but a bid for a third term and beyond must be approved by the subcommission.

Lee said he will stay in the race regardless of the court's decision on Friday. (Yonhap)