Jang Seob Yoon
Research expert covering South Korea
Soccer in South Korea - statistics & facts
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Soccer, known as football in South Korea, was the one of the most popular professional sports in the country. Currently placed 23rd in FIFA global rankings, the men’s national team was fondly remembered by many citizens when they reached the semi-finals of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. A number of well-known players throughout the years, such as Cha Bum-kun, Park Ji-sung, and Son Heung-min, hailed from South Korea. The nation also boasted an array of players active overseas and in its domestic K League professional football pyramid.
Professional soccer in South Korea
The K League was established in 1983, and a second-tier league called K League 2 was also founded in 2013. With the 2025 season kicking off in February, the premier K League 1 consisted of 12 teams competing against each other for the title, with a round-robin regular season schedule. In the latter half of the season, a split between the top and bottom halves of the table culminated in the crowning of the league champions after playing final rounds, with all fixtures generally being completed by early winter. The competition had successfully bounced back from the outbreak of COVID-19, and had experienced record highs in revenue and attendance. The league hoped to continue its growth as it committed funds towards various activities to help its expansion.More than a sport
Soccer was a pastime enjoyed by many South Koreans on an individual level as well, being the only team sport to have featured on the list of leading participation sports in the country. Additionally, it was the basis of a prominent video game enjoyed by many users. Public interest in the sport had translated to steady spending on sporting goods, with fans eager to show off their support for their favorite team or player. Nike, the official kit supplier of the South Korean national teams, was also a prevalent brand among younger generations.Jang Seob Yoon
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Feb 18, 2025
Jang Seob Yoon
Research expert covering South Korea
