Kang and Kim were appointed joint leaders in March following a merger between the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) and the Korean Council of Sport for All (KOCOSA).

Both parties met with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne and created one body to administer over sport at both an elite and at a grassroots level.

Kang, the KOCOSA head, and Kim, the KOC President, were thus appointed as co-leaders of the new body.

The KOC oversees elite sport in the country, with KOCOSA looking after matters regarding the general population with responsibilities including promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Under rules, Kang had to resign from his post to enter the election, which is scheduled for October 5.

The KSOC Code says an incumbent leader seeking Presidency must stand down before the Election Committee is formed.

However, following the KSOC board of directors meeting, the Election Committee has been formed without Kang offering his resignation. 

"From the start, I wasn't thinking about becoming President of the merged sports body," Kang told Yonhap.

"My job is to work until the new President is elected."

Concerns had been raised that the merger could threaten the independence of the KOC from the Government, with the IOC having strict rules on anything it sees as political interference.

The merger and appointment of a new President comes at a key time for South Korean sport, with the Winter Olympics being held in Pyeongchang in 2018.

Kim was unable to observe an Olympics ahead of South Korea's own hosting after missing the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for health reasons.

The 72-year-old, who underwent a heart operation last year, had reportedly experienced health problems since attending the national team launch last month.

The KSOC has also said that former table tennis star Ryu Seung-min, who won men’s singles gold at the Athens 2004 Olympics, has been appointed a new Board member.

The 34-year-old was elected a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission during Rio 2016.