Chung Mong-joon throws name into FIFA presidency ring

Former FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon announced Thursday his candidacy for FIFA president, targeting fellow candidate Michel Platini, whom he believes is incapable of achieving substantial reforms.

Chung declared his intentions to replace Sepp Blatter after Platini, president of UEFA, announced he would also be running.

The 63-year-old businessman and politician declared Platini is not the right man for the job, saying he is the one candidate who can get the governing body back on track.

"If I get elected, my job is not to enjoy the luxury of the office," Chung said. "My job is to change it. It will be very difficult for Mr. Platini to have any meaningful reforms. Mr. Platini enjoys institutional support from the current structure of FIFA. Mr Platini is very much a product of the current system."

Candidates have until Oct. 26 to be nominated before elections take place four months later. The impromptu election cycle follows an ongoing corruption scandal plaguing FIFA. As a result, the current president, Blatter, announced he would be stepping down.

Chung isn't just a footballing figure: he's also the majority shareholder of auto manufacturer Hyundai. He was once the president of the South Korean football association, too. Unlike Platini, Chung isn't a very well-known name, though for good reason, according to the candidate.

"FIFA became a closed organisation for president Blatter, his associates, and his cronies," Chung said. "I want to change that."

He spared no punches when talking about Blatter, either, saying Blatter is “like a cannibal eating his parents and then crying like he’s an orphan. He tries to blame everybody except himself."