Tens of thousands of demonstrators are still taking to the streets across Seoul both to celebrate and to oppose the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye following a cronyism scandal which is affecting all aspects of governance in the country.

Courts are currently considering whether to uphold a Parliamentary vote to impeach her passed by 234 votes to 56 on Friday (November 9).

The scandal centres around Park's links to Choi Soon-si, her 60-year-old adviser who exerted "undue influence" on policy-making despite having no official Government role, it is claimed.

Lee, who was elected to his post in October following a merger between the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) and the Korean Council of Sport for All (KOCOSA), has already discussed ways to strengthen the independence of the organisation from such external influences.

An attempt to switch the location for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Pyeongchang 2018 from Alpensia to Gangneung by former Sports Minister Kim Jong-deuk was seen as one such effort. 

This was despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) having confirmed the initial Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium venue currently being developed.

Ensuring full compliance with IOC rules is thought to be one reason why Lee wants more Government-separation.

At present KSOC Board members are chosen by the Board itself rather than by the General Assembly - as the IOC require.

Cutting out financial dependence on the Government is another aim.

According to the Korea Times, new proposals are currently being drawn-up and should be finalised before a meeting with the IOC scheduled for February.

The KOC and KOCOCA merged to form the new body in March in order to combine the governance of sport at both an elite and grassroots level.