The 54-year-old was appointed during the inaugural board meeting of the Korean Sport Olympic Committee, established following a merger between Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) and the Korean Council of Sport for All (KOCOSA).

Both parties had met with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this month, to detail their aim of creating one body to administer over sport at both an elite and at a grassroots level.

Kim Jung-haeng, the KOC President, and Kang Young-joong, the KOCOSA head, were appointed as co-leaders of the new body.

They have now opted to place Chung in charge of the delegation for Rio 2016, with the official set to take part in both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies on the Games.

He will also represent the nation at other official functions during the Olympics.

Chung has lead the KFA since 2013, having previously been the commissioner of the K League, South Korea’s top domestic football league.

He is also the chairman of the construction giants the Hyundai Development Company.

The official is the cousin of former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon, who was banned by football’s governing body in October, having been found to have infringed FIFA Ethics rules related to conduct, confidentiality, disclosure and collaboration following reports into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid processes.

South Korea’s Chef de Mission for the London 2012 Olympic Games was Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) President Lee Ki-heung.

The official is reportedly set to resign from his post as corruption scandals continue to rock the sport in the country, with numerous board members having been indicted following a widespread probe into wrongdoing within the organisation.

South Korea finished fifth in the overall medals table at London 2012.

They won a total of 28 medals, including 13 gold. 

It was the country's highest-ever position at the Olympics, although they had won three medals at Beijing four years earlier when they finished seventh overall.