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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 teams 25
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 Hyundai (2023)
Most championships Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
(9 titles)
TV partners JTBC Golf&Sports
Sky Sports (South Korea)

K League (Hangul: K리그) is South Korea's professional football league. It includes the first division K League 1 and the second division 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, and made South Korea's first professional football club Hallelujah FC the next year. After the South Korean professional baseball league KBO League was founded in 1982, the KFA was aware of crisis about the popularity of football. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Structure

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.

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

Clubs

Current clubs

K League 1


K League 2


All-time clubs

As of 2024, there have been a total of 36 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–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 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)
Seongnam Government (2014–present)
11 Chonbuk Buffalo (1994) Bobae Soju
12 Jeonbuk Dinos (1995–1996)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Dinos (1997–1999)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2000–present)
Hyunyang Company (1995–1999)
Hyundai Motor Company (1995–present)
13 Jeonnam Dragons (1995–present) POSCO
14 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (1996–present) Samsung Electronics (1996–2014)
Cheil Worldwide (2014–present)
15 Daejon 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)
Daejeon Government (2003–2019)
Hana Financial Group (2020–present)
16 Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2010) Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
Gwangju Government
17 Daegu FC (2003–present) Daegu Government
18 Incheon United (2004–present) Incheon Government
19 Gyeongnam FC (2006–present) Gyeongnam Provincial Government
20 Gangwon FC (2009–present) Gangwon Provincial Government
21 Sangju Sangmu (2011–2020) Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
Sangju Government
22 Gwangju FC (2011–present) Gwangju Government
23 Police FC (2013)
Ansan Police (2014–2015)
Ansan Mugunghwa (2016)
KNP Sports Club
Ansan Government (2014–2016)
24 Goyang Hi FC (2013–2015)
Goyang Zaicro (2016)
25 Chungju Hummel (2013–2016) Hummel Korea
26 Suwon FC (2013–present) Suwon Government
27 Bucheon FC 1995 (2013–present) Bucheon Government
28 FC Anyang (2013–present) Anyang Government
29 Seoul E-Land (2015–present) E-Land Group
30 Asan Mugunghwa (2017–2019) KNP Sports Club
Asan Government
31 Ansan Greeners (2017–present) Ansan Government
32 Chungnam Asan (2020–present) Asan Government
Chungnam Provincial Government
33 Gimcheon Sangmu (2021–present) Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
Gimcheon Government
34 Gimpo FC (2022–present) Gimpo Government
35 Cheonan City (2023–present) Cheonan Government
36 Chungbuk Cheongju (2023–present) Cheongju Government

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

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 (aet)
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
2021 Gangwon FC 4–2 Daejeon Hana Citizen 0–1 4–1
2022 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–1 FC Anyang 0–0 2–1 (aet)
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 (aet)

Records and statistics

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

Restriction of foreign 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. Since 1999, foreign goalkeepers are banned from the league because South Korean clubs excessively employed foreign goalkeepers after watching Valeri Sarychev's performances at that time. 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. Since 2020, Southeast Asian players can be registered under the ASEAN Quota.

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 is being banned since 1999.
  • 1997 season: Two-thirds of all matches
  • 1998 season: One-third of all matches
  • 1999–present: 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–present 3+1+1 3+1+1 +1 AFC player +1 Southeast Asian player; only used by K League 2 since 2023.
2023–present 3+1 5+1 +1 AFC player; only used by K League 1.

Relocation of clubs

In early years, the hometowns of K League clubs were determined, 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 DaeguGyeongbuk (1983) DaeguGyeongbukPohang (1988)
Jeju United SeoulIncheonGyeonggi (1983) → Seoul (1984) SeoulIncheonGyeonggi (1987) → Seoul (1991) → Bucheon (2001) → Jeju (2006)
Busan IPark BusanGyeongnam (1983) BusanGyeongnamBusan (1989)
Ulsan HD IncheonGyeonggi (1984) → IncheonGyeonggiGangwon (1986) Gangwon (1987) → Ulsan (1990)
FC Seoul ChungnamChungbuk (1984) ChungnamChungbukSeoul (1990) → Anyang (1996) → Seoul (2004)
Seongnam FC Seoul (1989) → Cheonan (1996) → Seongnam (2000)
Gimcheon Sangmu Gwangju (2003) → Sangju (2011) → Gimcheon (2021)
Asan Mugunghwa Unlocated (2013) → Ansan (2014) → Asan (2017)

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

Year Inductee Category Clubs Ref.
2023 Choi Soon-ho Stars POSCO Atoms (1983–1987, 1991)
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso (1988–1990)
2023 Hong Myung-bo Stars Pohang Steelers (1992–1997, 2002)
2023 Shin Tae-yong Stars Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (1992–2004)
2023 Lee Dong-gook Stars Pohang Steelers (1998–2002, 2005–2006)
Gwangju Sangmu (2003–2005)
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2008)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2009–2020)
2023 Kim Jung-nam Leaders Yukong Elephants (1985–1992)
Ulsan Hyundai (2000–2008)
2023 Park Tae-joon Honors Pohang Steelers
Jeonnam Dragons

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–present Hana 1Q K League

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: K League para niños

  • Football in South Korea
  • Korean League Cup
  • K League All-Star Game
  • Korean Super Cup
  • List of K League licensed video games
  • R League
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