Gimhae, Yongin and Paju Submit Bids to Join Expanding K League

South Korea’s professional football landscape could be set for further expansion as three cities — Gimhae, Yongin, and Paju — have officially submitted applications to join the K League, the country's top-tier professional league system.

The K League Secretariat confirmed on Monday that it had received formal membership applications from the three local governments. The bids come at a time when interest in Korean domestic football is surging, with the league recording over three million paying spectators for a second consecutive year — a milestone that reflects the sport's growing popularity across the country.

K3 Clubs Eye Pro Status

Among the three hopefuls, Gimhae and Paju already operate semi-professional sides in the K3 League — South Korea’s third tier. Gimhae FC 2008 and Paju Citizen FC are both eyeing a transformation into full professional outfits. According to their proposals, Gimhae plans to utilise the 25,000-capacity Gimhae Sports Complex, while Paju intends to host home matches at Paju Stadium.

Yongin Special City, which currently lacks a senior men’s football team, is pursuing a more ambitious route. Mayor Lee Sang-il publicly committed to establishing a professional club earlier this year, and the city has now formalised that pledge with a submission to join the K League. Their home ground would be Yongin Mir Stadium.

League Structure and Next Steps

The K League currently operates a two-division system:

• K League 1: The top flight, featuring 12 clubs, including powerhouses such as Ulsan HD, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and FC Seoul.

• K League 2: The second tier, currently home to 13 teams including Busan IPark, Suwon Samsung Bluewings (relegated in 2023), and newcomers Chungbuk Cheongju.

Should any of the three new candidates be accepted, they would likely join K League 2, further enriching the second tier and potentially pushing the total number of professional clubs in South Korea to a record 28.

The Korean Professional Football League (K League) stated that the surge in membership interest aligns with the broader growth of the league and reflects rising confidence in its commercial and sporting future.

The K League will now review the submitted documents for each city and begin a formal vetting process, which includes assessment based on financial sustainability, infrastructure, and community support. A final decision will be made within 60 days by the board of directors, with successful bids then requiring ratification at a general assembly.

A Sign of the Times

The momentum behind the expansion speaks to a changing football culture in Korea. What was once a league dominated by industrial giants is now seeing greater grassroots involvement and civic ambition. Should the applications of Gimhae, Yongin, and Paju be successful, the 2026 season could usher in a new era of geographic and competitive diversity within Korean professional football.