 | | ] Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ K League 1/ Final A/ Ulsan HD FC vs Suwon FC/ HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun/Winning Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jae-hoon |
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 | Honoring the trophy, HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman
(Ulsan = Yonhap News) Reporter Ahn Hong-seok = At Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on the 23rd, Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, Hana Bank's K League 1 2024 winner, is lifting the trophy with the players. 2024.11.23 |
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 | Choo Jung-sun lifting the trophy - Kim Pan-gon
(Ulsan = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yong-tae = Ulsan HD manager Kim Pan-gon and HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun, the winners of Hana Bank's K League 1 2024, are lifting the trophy at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on the 23rd. 2024.11.23 |
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The club shed its "eternal runner-up" tag in 2022, after claiming its first K League 1 title in 17 years, and the joy was indescribable after enduring years of heartache. In football, there’s a saying: "Victory is like yesterday’s snow." But Ulsan have soared over those peaks again and again. Ulsan became K League 1 champions again in 2023, and once again this year. On the 23rd, Ulsan celebrated the coronation of a new dynasty with a dazzling victory in a 6-goal thriller as Ulsan defeated Suwon FC 4-2 at Munsu Football Stadium in the final game of the 2024 Hana Bank K League 1 season.Ulsan confirmed its three consecutive year victory early on, already on the 1st. It is the first time since its foundation that Ulsan HD has won a three consecutive win, following its two consecutive win in 2023.
Ulsan had already secured their third consecutive title on November 1st. Following back-to-back championships, this three-peat marks another first in the club’s history. Alongside titles in 1996 and 2005, this was Ulsan’s fifth star overall. They now join the ranks of other K League dynasties, such as Seongnam FC during their Ilhwa Chunma era (1993–1995, 2001–2003) and Jeonbuk Hyundai (2017–2021), becoming the third team to achieve a three-peat. | | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ K League1/ Ulsan HD FC vs Suwon FC/ HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun/ Photo Kim Jung-soo |
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Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai and the eldest son of Asan Foundation Chairman Chung Mong-joon, has also delivered on his promise. Last year, he celebrated the team’s victory at the stadium for the first time. Addressing the supporters, he said, “Thank you, fans. In 2022 and 2023, the last team standing was Ulsan Hyundai. I be with you until the four stars embedded on our chest reaches ten. Today, we are the champions.”
This year, another ‘championship star’ has been added. Executive Vice Chairman Chung fully embraced the festivities this season, standing alongside key figures such as HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, President of the Korea Professional Football League, and Ulsan HD FC CEO Kim Kwang-guk, as they welcomed the champions. He presented medals to the players, and when captain Kim Kee-hee received the trophy from Chairman Kwon and raised it aloft, fireworks and confetti lit up the stadium, transforming Munsu into a football paradise. Amid it all, Chung heralded the birth of a new dynasty.
The ‘championship party’ with the supporters was twice as moving. Chants of “Chung Kisun” echoed through the stadium for the second year in a row. Some playful players shouted, “Bonus!” bringing smiles all round. After being tossed into the air by the players, Chung took the microphone and said, “Ulsan HD was victorious. I thought I’d get used to winning the title three times in a row, but it still feels overwhelming and heartwarming. I’m grateful to our coach, players, and our loyal ‘Cheoyong Warriors.’ Please continue showing your passionate support as Ulsan HD continues to write its history.
 | Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai
(Ulsan = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yong-tae = Ulsan HD players, the winner of Hana Bank's K League 1 2024, are hoisting Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, in celebration at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on the 23rd. 2024.11.23 |
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 | | (Ulsan = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yong-tae, the winner of Hana Bank's K League 1 2024, is celebrating the championship at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on the 23rd. 2024.11.23 |
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As soon as his speech ended, another surprise came his way. Kim Young-gwon doused Chung in champagne, and Chung embraced the moment, signaling for more as he relished the triumph.Executive Vice Chairman Chung’s father, Chairman Chung Mong-joon, contributed significantly to Korean football as a leader in both domestic and international football, serving as President of the Korea Football Association and Vice President of FIFA. His efforts led to Korea co-hosting the 2002 World Cup. Now, it seems Chung is truly discovering the "taste of football." He was even spotted enjoying the match with the regular spectators instead of in the VIP section.
 | | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ K League1/ Ulsan HD FC vs Suwon FC/ Ulsan Group, HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun/Winning Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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 | | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ K League1/ Ulsan HD FC vs Suwon FC/ HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun/ Photo Kim Jung-soo |
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Ulsan face an even bigger challenge next year: the FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament is being revamped, shifting from a small annual event to a World Cup-style competition held every four years with 32 teams. European giants such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and PSG will participate, alongside Asian representatives such as Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Reds (Japan), Ulsan, and Al-Ain (UAE).This presents Ulsan HD with the opportunity to emerge as a global club, with Executive Vice Chairman Chung at the helm.This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
