K League 1 (South Korea)
The K League 1 is the top professional football league in South Korea and one of the strongest leagues in Asia.
Founded in 1983, it is the oldest professional football league in Asia and features historic clubs such as
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan Hyundai, Pohang Steelers, and FC Seoul.
History and facts
The K League began in 1983 with just five clubs. Over the decades, it expanded and developed into a world-class competition, contributing greatly to South Korea’s success in international football.
South Korean clubs are among the most successful in Asia, with teams like Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Ulsan Hyundai winning multiple AFC Champions League titles.
The league is known for its intense rivalries, strong youth development, and the export of top Korean talent to Europe — such as Heung-min Son, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae.
League system
K League 1 is the top tier of South Korean football.
The bottom team is automatically relegated to K League 2, while the 11th-placed team enters a playoff
against a K League 2 team.
Table 1. South Korean football tiers
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| K League 1 | 1 |
| K League 2 | 2 |
| K3 League | 3 |
| K4 League | 4 |
Below the K4 League are regional and amateur divisions.
Stats
Teams with most K League titles
Table 2. Clubs with the most K League 1 titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 9 |
| Seongnam FC | 7 |
| FC Seoul | 6 |
| Pohang Steelers | 5 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 4 |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have dominated the K League in the modern era.
Teams with most participation in top division
Table 3. Clubs with most top-flight seasons
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Pohang Steelers | 40+ |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 35+ |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 35+ |
| FC Seoul | 30+ |
| Daegu FC | 20+ |
Pohang Steelers are the league’s most consistent long-term participant.
Audience
Stadium capacities
Table 4. Major K League 1 stadiums
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| FC Seoul | Seoul World Cup Stadium | 66,704 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium | 44,466 |
| Daegu FC | Daegu Stadium | 66,422 |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Jeonju World Cup Stadium | 42,477 |
| Pohang Steelers | Pohang Steel Yard | 25,000 |
Players
Famous players in K League history
- Lee Dong-gook
- Kim Do-hoon
- Dejan Damjanović
- Hwang Hee-chan (youth career)
- Kim Min-jae
- Osmar Barba
- Edu
K League timeline
1983
The K League is established as Asia’s first professional football league.
1998
Pohang Steelers win the Asian Club Championship.
2002
South Korea finishes 4th at the FIFA World Cup.
2009
Pohang Steelers win the AFC Champions League.
2016
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors win their second AFC Champions League title.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K_League_1
https://www.kleague.com
https://www.rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K_League_1
https://www.kleague.com
https://www.rsssf.org
