Korea National League Explained

Korea National League
Pixels:250
Country:South Korea
Folded:2019
Pyramid:South Korean football league system
Levels:2 (2003–2012)
3 (2013–2019)
Domest Cup:Korean FA Cup
Website:n-league.net
Hangul:내셔널리그
Rr:Naesyeneol rigeu
Mr:Naesyŏnŏl rigŭ

The Korea National League was a South Korean semi-professional football league held annually from 2003 to 2019. It was considered the second-highest division of the South Korean football league system before the K League 2 was launched in 2013, and the third-highest division since then.

History

The Korea National League was officially founded in the name of K2 League in 2003 to execute a plan to professionalize the Korean National Semi-Professional Football League. The participating clubs of the National League had to have their hometowns unlike in the Semi-professional League era.

In 2006, the K2 League was re-branded as the Korea National League, and its champions were decided to promote to the K League. However, Goyang KB Kookmin Bank and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, the champions of the 2006 and 2007 season respectively, judged that they couldn't derive benefit from their professionalization, and rejected their promotion.[1] The Korea Football Association and the K League Federation eventually prepared another project to found the second-tier professional league which is irrelevant to the National League.[2]

At the end of 2019, the Korea National League was absorbed into the K3 League.[3]

All-time clubs

No.ClubOwner(s)
1Iksan Hallelujah (2003)
Gimpo Hallelujah (2004–2006)
Ansan Hallelujah (2007–2011)
Ansan H FC (2012)
2Daejeon KHNP (2003–2012)
Gyeongju KHNP (2013–2019)
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
3Gangneung City (2003–2019)Gangneung Government
4Gimpo Kookmin Bank (2003)
Goyang Kookmin Bank (2003–2005)
Goyang KB Kookmin Bank (2006–2012)
Kookmin Bank
5Incheon Korail (2003–2013)
Daejeon Korail (2014–2019)
Korail
6Uijeongbu Hummel (2003–2005)
Icheon Hummel (2006–2007)
Nowon Hummel (2008–2009)
Chungju Hummel (2010–2012)
Hummel Korea
7Icheon Sangmu (2003–2005)Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
8Suwon City (2003–2012)Suwon Government
9Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (2003–2016)Hyundai Mipo Dockyard
10Seosan Citizen (2003–2006)
Seosan Omega (2007)
Yesan FC (2008–2010)
Seosan Government (2003–2007)
Yesan Government (2008–2010)
11Seoul City (2003)Seoul Government
12Changwon City (2005–2019)Changwon Government
13Busan Transportation Corporation (2006–2019)Busan Transportation Corporation
14INGNEX FC (2007)
Hongcheon Idu (2008–2009)
INGNEX (2007)
Idu Construction (2008–2009)
15Cheonan City (2008–2019)Cheonan Government
16Gimhae City (2008–2019)Gimhae Government
17Mokpo City (2010–2019)Mokpo Government
18Yongin City (2010–2016)Yongin Government

Champions

Champions by season

SeasonChampionsRunners-up
Goyang Kookmin BankIcheon Sangmu
Goyang Kookmin BankGangneung City
Incheon KorailSuwon City
Goyang Kookmin BankGimpo Hallelujah
Hyundai Mipo DockyardSuwon City
Hyundai Mipo DockyardSuwon City
Gangneung CityGimhae City
Suwon CityDaejeon KHNP
Hyundai Mipo DockyardGoyang KB Kookmin Bank
Incheon KorailGoyang KB Kookmin Bank
Hyundai Mipo DockyardGyeongju KHNP
Hyundai Mipo DockyardDaejeon Korail
Hyundai Mipo DockyardGyeongju KHNP
Hyundai Mipo DockyardGangneung City
Gyeongju KHNPGimhae City
Gyeongju KHNPGimhae City
Gangneung CityGyeongju KHNP

Performance by club

ClubChampionsRunners-up
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard7 (2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Goyang KB Kookmin Bank3 (2003, 2004, 2006)2 (2011, 2012)
Gyeongju KHNP2 (2017, 2018)4 (2010, 2013, 2015, 2019)
Gangneung City2 (2009, 2019)2 (2004, 2016)
Daejeon Korail2 (2005, 2012)1 (2014)
Suwon City1 (2010)3 (2005, 2007, 2008)
Gimhae City3 (2009, 2017, 2018)
Icheon Sangmu1 (2003)
Gimpo Hallelujah1 (2006)

Sponsorship

SponsorSeasonCompetition
Hyundai Motor Company2003Hyundai Motors Cup K2 League
Intermax AD2003Intermax Cup K2 League
Hyundai Motor Company2004Hyundai Motors Cup K2 League
Kookmin Bank2005KB Kookmin Bank Cup K2 League
STC Company20062007STC Cup National League
Kookmin Bank20072008KB Kookmin Bank National League
Kyobo Life Insurance2009Kyobo Life National League
Korea Life Insurance2010Daehan Life National League
Samsung Life Insurance2011Samsung Life National League
Shinhan Bank20122013Shinhan Bank National League
Samsung Life Insurance2014Samsung Life National League
Incheon International Airport Corporation20152017Incheon International Airport National League
Hanwha Life Insurance2018Hanhwa Life National League
Kyobo Life Insurance2019Kyobo Life National League

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: https://www.xportsnews.com/article/77620 . ko:또 다시 승격거부, 미포조선의 잘못인가 . ko . Xportsnews . 2007-12-13 . 2022-09-27.
  2. News: http://sports.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3317415 . ko:N리그, 승격제 폐지 합의… 아이엔지 '퇴출' . ko . Sports Hankook . 2008-03-07 . 2022-09-27.
  3. News: https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/05/13/2020051302049.html . ko:한국형 디비전시스템의 '허리' K3·4리그 본격 출범 . ko . . 13 May 2020 . 25 November 2020.