K League

K League (Korean: K리그) is South Korea's professional football league. It includes the first division K League 1 and the second division K League 2.^[1][2] Clubs competing in the K League have won a record total of twelve AFC Champions League titles, the top continental competition for Asian clubs.^[3]

K League

Organising body	Korea Football Association (1983–1986) K League Federation (1987–1988) Korea Football Association (1989–1994) K League Federation (1994–present)
Founded	1983
Country	South Korea
Confederation	AFC
Divisions	K League 1 K League 2
Number of clubs	26
Level on pyramid	1–2
Domestic cup(s)	Korean FA Cup
International cup(s)	AFC Champions League Elite AFC Champions League Two
Current champions	Ulsan HD (2024)
Most championships	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (9 titles)
Broadcaster(s)	JTBC Golf&Sports Sky Sports (South Korea) IB SPORTS
Website	www.kleague.com
Current: 2025 K League 1 2025 K League 2

History

Until the 1970s, South Korean football operated two major football leagues, the National Semi-professional Football League and the National University Football League, but these were not professional leagues in which footballers could focus on only football. In 1979, however, the Korea Football Association (KFA)'s president Choi Soon-young planned to found a professional football league,^[4] and made South Korea's first professional football club Hallelujah FC the next year.^[5] After the South Korean professional baseball league KBO League was founded in 1982, the KFA was aware of crisis about the popularity of football.^[6] In 1983, it urgently made the Korean Super League with two professional clubs (Hallelujah FC, Yukong Elephants) and three semi-professional clubs (POSCO Dolphins, Daewoo Royals, Kookmin Bank) to professionalize South Korean football. Then, the Super League accomplished its purpose after existing clubs were also converted into professional clubs (POSCO Atoms, Daewoo Royals) and new professional clubs joined the league. In the early years, it also showed a promotion system by giving qualifications to the Semi-professional League winners. (Hanil Bank in 1984, Sangmu FC in 1985)

However, the number of spectators was consistently decreased despite KFA's effort, and so the professional league, renamed as the Korean Professional Football League, operated home and away system to interest fans since 1987.^[7] On 30 July 1994, the Professional League Committee under KFA was independent of the association, and renamed as the "Korean Professional Football Federation". In 1996, South Korean government and the Football Federation introduced a decentralization policy to proliferate the popularity of football nationally in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which they wanted to host. Several clubs located in the capital Seoul moved to other cities according to the new policy, but this was abolished after only three years and is regarded as a failed policy because it gave up the most populous city in South Korea. In 1998, the league was renamed again as current K League.^[8]

It had the current format by abolishing the K League Championship and the Korean League Cup after the 2011 season, and being split into two divisions in 2013. The first division's name was the K League Classic, and the second division's name was the K League Challenge at the time. The fact that both the first and the second divisions had very similar names caused some degree of confusion and controversy.^[9] Beginning with the 2018 season, both divisions were renamed the K League 1 and the K League 2 respectively.

In February 2021, an OTT service for international markets called K League TV was officially launched.^[10]

Structure

Main article: South Korean football league system

Below K League 1 is the second-tier K League 2, and both form the K League as professional championships. Under them, there are two semi-professional leagues (K3 League and K4 League) and three amateur leagues (K5, K6 and K7 Leagues). At present, promotion and relegation exists within each of the three levels (professional, semi-professional, and amateur) but clubs from K3 and below cannot be promoted to the K League. However, the KFA has announced plans to combine the three promotion-relegation systems into one from 2027.^[11]

Since 2021, K League 1 and K League 2 teams have been permitted to field their reserve teams in the K4 League.^[12]

Clubs

Current clubs

K League 1

Main article: Current K League 1 clubs

FC Anyang

Daegu FC

Daejeon Hana Citizen

Gangwon FC (Chuncheon)^[a]

Gangwon FC (Gangneung)^[a]

Gimcheon Sangmu

Gwangju FC

Jeju SK

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Pohang Steelers

FC Seoul

Suwon FC

Ulsan HD

Location of the 2025 K League 1 teams

1. Gangwon FC has two home stadiums.

K League 2

Main article: Current K League 2 clubs

Ansan Greeners

Bucheon FC 1995

Busan IPark

Cheonan City

Chungbuk Cheongju

Gimpo FC

Gyeongnam FC

Hwaseong FC

Incheon United

Seongnam FC

Seoul E-Land

Jeonnam Dragons

Chungnam Asan

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Location of the 2025 K League 2 teams

All-time clubs

As of 2025, there have been a total of 37 member clubs in the history of the K League – those clubs are listed below with their current names (where applicable):

• K League's principle of official statistics is that final club succeeds to predecessor club's history and records.
• Clubs in italics no longer exist.

No.	Club	Owner(s)
1	POSCO Dolphins (1983–1984) POSCO Atoms (1985–1994) Pohang Atoms (1995–1996) Pohang Steelers (1997–present)	POSCO
2	Hallelujah FC (1983–1985)	Shindongah Group [ko]
3	Yukong Elephants (1983–1995) Bucheon Yukong (1996–1997) Bucheon SK (1997–2005) Jeju United (2006–2024) Jeju SK (2025–present)	SK Energy
4	Daewoo Royals (1983–1995) Busan Daewoo Royals (1996–1999) Busan I'Cons (2000–2004) Busan IPark (2005–present)	Daewoo (1983–1999) HDC Group (2000–present)
5	Kookmin Bank (1983–1984)	Kookmin Bank
6	Hyundai Horang-i (1984–1995) Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1996–2007) Ulsan Hyundai (2008–2023) Ulsan HD (2024–present)	Hyundai Motor Company (1984–1997) Hyundai Heavy Industries (1998–present)
7	Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1984–1990) LG Cheetahs (1991–1995) Anyang LG Cheetahs (1996–2003) FC Seoul (2004–present)	LG Group (1984–2004) GS Group (2004–present)
8	Hanil Bank FC (1984–1986)	Hanil Bank
9[a]	Sangmu FC (1985)	Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
10	Ilhwa Chunma (1989–1995) Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma (1996–1999) Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2000–2013) Seongnam FC (2014–present)	Ilwha Company (1989–2013) Government of Seongnam (2014–present)
11	Chonbuk Buffalo (1994)	Bobae Soju
12	Jeonbuk Dinos (1995–1996) Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos (1997–1999) Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2000–present)	Hyundai Motor Company Hyunyang Company (1995–1999)
13	Jeonnam Dragons (1995–present)	POSCO
14	Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1996–present)	Samsung Electronics (1996–2014) Cheil Worldwide (2014–present)
15	Daejeon Citizen (1997–2019) Daejeon Hana Citizen (2020–present)	Dong Ah Group (1997–1998) Chungchong Bank (1997–1998) Dongyang Department Store (1997–1999) Kyeryong Construction Company (1997–2002) Government of Daejeon (2003–2019) Hana Financial Group (2020–present)
16[a]	Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2010)	Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps Government of Gwangju
17	Daegu FC (2003–present)	Government of Daegu
18	Incheon United (2004–present)	Government of Incheon
19	Gyeongnam FC (2006–present)	Government of Gyeongnam Province
20	Gangwon FC (2009–present)	Government of Gangwon Province
21[a]	Sangju Sangmu (2011–2020)	Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps Government of Sangju
22	Gwangju FC (2011–present)	Government of Gwangju
23[b]	Police FC (2013) Ansan Police (2014–2015) Ansan Mugunghwa (2016)	KNP Sports Club Government of Ansan (2014–2016)
24	Goyang Hi FC (2013–2015) Goyang Zaicro (2016)
25	Chungju Hummel (2013–2016)	Hummel Korea
26	Suwon FC (2013–present)	Government of Suwon
27	Bucheon FC 1995 (2013–present)	Government of Bucheon
28	FC Anyang (2013–present)	Government of Anyang
29	Seoul E-Land (2015–present)	E-Land Group
30[b]	Asan Mugunghwa (2017–2019)	KNP Sports Club Government of Asan
31	Ansan Greeners (2017–present)	Government of Ansan
32	Chungnam Asan (2020–present)	Government of Asan Government of Chungnam Province
33[a]	Gimcheon Sangmu (2021–present)	Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps Government of Gimcheon
34	Gimpo FC (2022–present)	Government of Gimpo
35	Cheonan City (2023–present)	Government of Cheonan
36	Chungbuk Cheongju (2023–present)	Government of Cheongju
37	Hwaseong FC (2025–present)	Government of Hwaseong

1. Sangmu, Gwangju Sangmu, Sangju Sangmu and Gimcheon Sangmu are separate legal entities according to the K League Federation
2. Ansan Mugunghwa and Asan Mugunghwa are separate legal entities according to the K League Federation

Champions

Main articles: K League 1 and K League 2 champions

Year	K League 1	K League 2
1983	Hallelujah FC	No second-tier professional league
1984	Daewoo Royals
1985	Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
1986	POSCO Atoms
1987	Daewoo Royals
1988	POSCO Atoms
1989	Yukong Elephants
1990	Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
1991	Daewoo Royals
1992	POSCO Atoms
1993	Ilhwa Chunma
1994	Ilhwa Chunma
1995	Ilhwa Chunma
1996	Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i
1997	Busan Daewoo Royals
1998	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
1999	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
2000	Anyang LG Cheetahs
2001	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
2002	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
2003	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
2004	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
2005	Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i
2006	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
2007	Pohang Steelers
2008	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
2009	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2010	FC Seoul
2011	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2012	FC Seoul
2013	Pohang Steelers	Sangju Sangmu
2014	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Daejeon Citizen
2015	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Sangju Sangmu
2016	FC Seoul	Ansan Mugunghwa
2017	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Gyeongnam FC
2018	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Asan Mugunghwa
2019	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Gwangju FC
2020	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Jeju United
2021	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Gimcheon Sangmu
2022	Ulsan Hyundai	Gwangju FC
2023	Ulsan Hyundai	Gimcheon Sangmu
2024	Ulsan HD	FC Anyang

Promotion-relegation play-offs

The K League promotion-relegation play-offs were introduced in 2013 and are contested between the eleventh-placed team of K League 1 and the runners-up of K League 2. The first leg is always played at the second division team's home ground, while the second leg is played at the first division team's home ground. Starting in 2022, another series was added between the tenth-placed team of K League 1 and the third-placed team of K League 2.

Season	K League 1	Aggregate	K League 2	1st leg	2nd leg
2013	Gangwon FC	2–4	Sangju Sangmu	1–4	1–0
2014	Gyeongnam FC	2–4	Gwangju FC	1–3	1–1
2015	Busan IPark	0–3	Suwon FC	0–1	0–2
2016	Seongnam FC	1–1 (a)	Gangwon FC	0–0	1–1
2017	Sangju Sangmu	1–1 (5–4 p)	Busan IPark	1–0	0–1 (a.e.t.)
2018	FC Seoul	4–2	Busan IPark	3–1	1–1
2019	Gyeongnam FC	0–2	Busan IPark	0–0	0–2
2020	Not held[a]
2021	Gangwon FC	4–2	Daejeon Hana Citizen	0–1	4–1
2022	Suwon Samsung Bluewings	2–1	FC Anyang	0–0	2–1 (a.e.t.)
	Gimcheon Sangmu	1–6	Daejeon Hana Citizen	1–2	0–4
2023	Gangwon FC	2–1	Gimpo FC	0–0	2–1
	Suwon FC	6–4	Busan IPark	1–2	5–2 (a.e.t.)
2024	Daegu FC	6–5	Chungnam Asan	3–4	3–1 (a.e.t.)
	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	4–2	Seoul E-Land	2–1	2–1

1. Two K League 1 teams were relegated, so the runners-up of K League 2 were directly promoted.

Records and statistics

Main article: K League records and statistics

K League officially includes records of K League 1, K League 2 and Korean League Cup in its statistics.

As of 25 November 2020^[13]

Category	Record holder	Record
Appearances	Kim Byung-ji	706
Goals	Lee Dong-gook	228
Assists	Yeom Ki-hun	110
Clean sheets	Kim Byung-ji	229
Longest goal	Kwon Jung-hyuk	85 m
Fastest goal	Bang Seung-hwan	00:11
Fastest assist	Lee Jae-sung	00:18

Restriction of foreign players

See also: List of foreign K League 1 and K League 2 players

At the inception of the K League in 1983, only two Brazilian players made rosters. At the time, rules allowed each club to have three foreign players and that the three could also play simultaneously in a game. From the 1996 season, each team had five foreign players among whom three could play in a game at the same time. In 1999, foreign goalkeepers were banned from the league because South Korean clubs excessively employed foreign goalkeepers after watching Valeri Sarychev's performances at that time.^[14] In 2001 and 2002, the limit on foreign players was expanded to seven but only three could play in a game at the same time. The limit was lowered to five in 2003, four in 2005, and three in 2007. Since 2009, the number of foreign players went back up to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries. Between 2020 and 2024, Southeast Asian players could be registered under the ASEAN Quota.^[15] The prohibition of foreign goalkeepers was abolished in 2025, and they will be able to play in the league since 2026.^[16]

Season	Lineup	Squad	Note
1983–1993	2	2
1994	2	3
1995	3	3
1996–2000	3	5	The number of foreign goalkeepers' appearances was limited in 1997 and 1998, and their employment was banned in 1999. 1997: Two-thirds of all matches 1998: One-third of all matches 1999–2025: Banned in the league
2001–2002	3	7	Temporary operation due to frequent call-ups of the World Cup team.
2003–2004	3	5
2005	3	4
2006–2008	3	3
2009–2019	3+1	3+1	+1 AFC player
2020–2024	3+1+1	3+1+1	+1 AFC player +1 ASEAN player; only used by K League 2 since 2023.
2023–2024	3+1	5+1	+1 AFC player; only used by K League 1.
2025–present	4	5 or 6	K League 1 teams can register six foreign players each in their squads, while K League 2 teams can register five. The foreign goalkeepers' employment is going to be allowed since 2026.

Relocation of clubs

Main article: K League decentralization policy

In early years, the hometowns of K League clubs were determined,^[17] but they were pointless in substance because the clubs played all K League matches by going around all stadiums together. The current home and away system is being operated since 1987. The clubs were relocated from provinces to cities in 1990, but clubs are currently based in their area regardless of province and city since 1994. In 1996, the decentralization policy was operated. In result 3 clubs based in Seoul were relocated. Since 1996, it is obligatory for all clubs to include hometown name in their club name.

Club	National tour system (1983–1986)	Home and away system (1987–present)
Pohang Steelers	Daegu–Gyeongbuk (1983)	Daegu–Gyeongbuk → Pohang (1988[a])
Jeju SK	Seoul–Incheon–Gyeonggi (1983) → Seoul (1984)	Seoul → Incheon–Gyeonggi (1987) → Seoul (1991) → Bucheon (2001[b]) → Jeju (2006)
Busan IPark	Busan–Gyeongnam (1983)	Busan–Gyeongnam → Busan (1989[c])
Ulsan HD	Incheon–Gyeonggi (1984) → Incheon–Gyeonggi–Gangwon (1986)	Gangwon (1987) → Ulsan (1990)
FC Seoul	Chungnam–Chungbuk (1984)	Chungnam–Chungbuk → Seoul (1990) → Anyang (1996) → Seoul (2004)
Seongnam FC	—	Seoul (1989) → Cheonan (1996) → Seongnam (2000)
Gimcheon Sangmu[d]	—	Gwangju (2003) → Sangju (2011) → Gimcheon (2021)
Asan Mugunghwa[e]	—	Unlocated[f] (2013) → Ansan (2014) → Asan (2017)

1. K League officially introduced the relocation policy to cities in 1990, but POSCO Atoms already followed it in 1988.
2. Bucheon Yukong decided Bucheon as its new city in 1996, but played its home matches at Mokdong Stadium located in Mok-dong, Seoul until 2000, because Bucheon Stadium was under construction during that time.
3. K League officially introduced the relocation policy to cities in 1990, but Daewoo Royals already followed it in 1989.
4. Gwangju Sangmu, Sangju Sangmu, and Gimcheon Sangmu are separate legal entities according to K League. Officially not relocated and founded as a new club.
5. Police FC, Ansan Police, and Asan Mugunghwa are separate legal entities according to K League. Officially not relocated and re-founded as a new civil club named Chungnam Asan, in 2019.
6. Played all matches at away stadiums.

Awards

Annual awards

• K League Most Valuable Player Award
• K League Top Scorer Award
• K League Top Assist Provider Award
• K League Young Player of the Year Award
• K League Manager of the Year Award
• K League Best XI
• K League FANtastic Player

Hall of Fame

Stars

Year	Inductee	Clubs	Ref.
2023	Choi Soon-ho	POSCO Atoms (1983–1987, 1991) Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1988–1990)	[18]
2023	Hong Myung-bo	Pohang Steelers (1992–1997, 2002)	[18]
2023	Shin Tae-yong	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (1992–2004)	[18]
2023	Lee Dong-gook	Pohang Steelers (1998–2002, 2005–2006) Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2005) Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2008) Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2009–2020)	[18]
2025	Kim Joo-sung	Busan Daewoo Royals (1987–1999)	[19]
2025	Kim Byung-ji	Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1992–2000) Pohang Steelers (2001–2005) FC Seoul (2006–2008) Gyeongnam FC (2009–2012) Jeonnam Dragons (2013–2015)	[19]
2025	Yoo Sang-chul	Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (1994–1998, 2002–2003, 2005–2006)	[19]
2025	Dejan Damjanović	Incheon United (2007) FC Seoul (2008–2013, 2016–2017) Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2018–2019) Daegu FC (2020)	[19]

Leaders

Year	Inductee	Clubs	Ref.
2023	Kim Jung-nam	Yukong Elephants (1985–1992) Ulsan Hyundai (2000–2008)	[18]
2025	Kim Ho	Hyundai Horang-i (1988–1990) Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1995–2003) Daejeon Citizen (2007–2009)	[19]

Honors

Year	Inductee	Notes	Ref.
2023	Park Tae-joon	Founder of Pohang Steelers and Jeonnam Dragons	[18]
2025	Chung Mong-joon	President of Korea Football Association (1993–2009) President of K League Federation (1994–1998) Vice-president of FIFA (1994–2011) President of East Asian Football Federation (2004)	[19]

Sponsorship

Sponsor	Season	Competition
None	1983–1993	Korean Professional Football League
Hite	1994–1995	Hite Cup Korean League
Rapido	1996–1997	Rapido Cup Professional Football League
Hyundai Group	1998	Hyundai Cup K-League
Hyundai Securities [ko]	1999	Buy Korea Cup K-League
Samsung Electronics	2000	Samsung DigiTall K-League
POSCO	2001	POSCO K-League
Samsung Electronics	2002	Samsung PAVV K-League
	2003–2008	Samsung Hauzen K-League
None	2009	K-League
Hyundai Motor Company	2010	Sonata K League
Hyundai Oilbank	2011–2016	Hyundai Oilbank K League
Hana Bank	2017–2018	KEB Hana Bank K League
	2019–2023	Hana 1Q K League
	2024–present	Hana Bank K League

See also

• Football in South Korea
• Korean League Cup
• K League All-Star Game
• Korean Super Cup
• R League