[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Master Ji Ho Choi of the United States was elected the new president of the Pan American Taekwondo Union at its General Assembly in Cali, Colombia on Dec. 7, 2007.

The election took place one day before the 2007 WTF Pan American Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which started on Dec. 8 for a two-day run.

Master Choi, who has served as executive director of the PATU, will serve as the new president of the PATU until the next General Assembly, which is scheduled in Puerto Rico on the occasion of the 2008 Pan American Taekwondo Championships, most likely to be held in October or November 2008. The new president of the 42-member PATU will complete the remaining period of the term of the late Dr. Cha Sok Park.

Until the election, the PATU, which has 42 member national countries, was briefly led by the interim president, Dr. Varo Barragan of Panama, who failed to gain a vote of confidence from the General Assembly. The General Assembly then proceeded to elect a new president from the two candidates, Mr. Choi of the United States and Mr. Adalberto Escoto of the Dominican Republic.

Master Choi has served the PATU for the past 12 years in various areas. He received a strong mandate in this election with a 28-11 voting count.

Upon completion of the voting count, a motion was proposed on the floor to extend Mr. Choi's term to an additional four years to allow him to implement his election commitments.

Mr. Choi, however, humbly asked to withdraw the motion and expressed his appreciation to the General Assembly for their confidence in him, according to participants in the General Assembly. He will be running again at the next General Assembly in Puerto Rico as a candidate to promote equal opportunity for all other candidates for the next term.

Mr. Choi's humble, yet confident announcement was appreciated by the delegates with great expectations, according to the General Assembly participants.