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Son Yoo Sun-woo, son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, who will receive the Hall of Fame plaque
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Yoo Sun-woo (right), the son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, is receiving the plaque on behalf of him at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Honored Chairman of the Korea Football Association Chung Mong-joon
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = At the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th, Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, expresses his feelings about selecting the contributor category. 2025.9.16 |
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2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony group photo
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = The inductees are taking a commemorative photo at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. From left, Kwon Oh-gap, president of the Korea Professional Football Association, former coach Kim Ho, Deyan, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, Kim Joo-sung, son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, and Kim Byung-ji. 2025.9.16 |
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In addition to Yoo Sang-chul, who became the deceased, Kim Joo-sung, Kim Byung-ji, and Dejan-eun, former Suwon Samsung coach Kim Ho became the leader, and Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, became history in the contributor category.
On the 16th, the Korea Professional Football Federation held an induction ceremony for six inductees of the 「2nd K-League Hall of Fame」 at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The K-League Hall of Fame was established in 2023 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the launch of the K-League.
The donation began with a welcoming speech by Kwon Oh-gap, president of the Professional Federation. Kwon Oh-gap said that `The K-League Hall of Fame will not just be a place to reflect on past memories, but will also be a model for many junior players and soccer players and a milestone to reveal the future of Korean soccer.' Chung Mong-joon, president of the Korea Football Association, prayed that `Through the K-League Hall of Fame, both fans and footballers will reflect on and remember the achievements of the inductees for a long time.'
The selection section was then introduced by the chairperson of the "Honorary Hall of Fame"Henggaejang Selection Committee. In the player category, about 230 players who recorded major achievements in the top K-League (K-League before promotion system, K-League 1 after promotion system), the playoffs, and the League Cup were selected through internal screening by the selection committee.
The final four inductees were decided by reflecting fan votes, press corps votes, club representatives and coaches votes, and selection committee votes. In the leadership category and the no-contributor category, it was said that one person was given a donation after the selection committee's internal discussion.
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Dejan
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Dejan expresses his feelings at the 2025 K League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Trophied Dejan
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Dejan (right) is taking a commemorative photo after receiving a trophy from Lee Dong-guk at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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The induction ceremony for players was held in the order of Dejan, Yoo Sang-chul, Kim Byung-ji and Kim Joo-sung. Lee Dong-guk, the technical director of Yongin FC, who is the top scorer in the K-League, stepped up as Dejan's recommendation.
Director Lee Dong-guk said, `It is really difficult for a foreign striker to continue to play on the rough K-League stage without any ups and downs for more than 10 years. His performance in the K-League is likely to be a milestone that cannot be broken in the future"Congratulations to Dejan."
Dejan says "It feels good to visit Korea again. When I came to Korea in 2007, I didn't know that I would achieve numerous scores, records, and wins. I am happy to become a legend in the K League. I am also grateful to the coaches, players, staff, especially the family of my wife and children who helped me a lot. Finally, it's an honor to be here with the legends, players, and leaders. It's an honor to win such a big award."
Yoo Sang-chul's recommendation was foundation law, a student of Yoo Sang-chul's time as Incheon United coach, and K-League assist director Kim Ho-nam. Kim Ho-nam took the podium and "Yoo Sang-chul was the best multiplayer in Korean soccer history. He was named the best 11 in all positions and was the top scorer. When I was young, when I dreamed of becoming a soccer player, I watched the coach's play and thought that I wanted to be like that player," he said, expressing his sincere congratulations.
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The late coach Yoo Sang-chul's son Yoo Sun-woo who received the Hall of Fame trophy
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Yoo Sun-woo (right), the son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, is receiving the trophy on behalf of him at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Son Yoo Sun-woo, son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, to announce his feelings in the Hall of Fame
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Yoo Sun-woo, son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, is giving his speech at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Yoo Sun-woo, Yoo Sang-chul's son, took the stage as a proxy winner. Coming up on behalf of his father, he said "It's a great honor to be here on behalf of my father. I would like to thank the fans and soccer officials for supporting my father. This award is shared not only with individuals but also with all those who loved my father."
As Kim Byung-ji's recommendation, Hyun Young-min, chairman of the Korea Football Association's Power Reinforcement Committee, who was with the Jeonnam Dragons, who last joined him when he was active. Hyun Young-min, chairman of the Korea Power Reinforcement Committee, congratulated Kim Byung-ji, saying, `He is the most worthy person of the K-League Hall of Fame, including his unprecedented record of playing 708 games, thorough self-management and sincerity, and his unique personality loved by fans.'
Kim Byung-ji, who received the trophy from Hyun Young-min, chairman of the Korea Power Reinforcement Committee, said "It took quite a long time to stand here." I'm worried if I can deliver my thoughts in a short time. There are memories and pains, but it's an honor to be here with you."I'm spending the rest of my time as an administrator after 24 years of intense playing, and I'll be a person who can help develop the K-League. I grew up as hard as a pearl in the soil. For players who give up in their early 20s, there are many ways to give up, including 'failure, challenge, and administrator'. I want to say that when you go all the way, you can go as a truly successful person. I will cheer and find such a talent. I hope you do your best until the end."
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Trophy-winning Kim Byung-ji
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Kim (right) holds the trophy at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Trophy-winning Kim Joo-sung
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Kim (right) is taking a commemorative photo after receiving a trophy from Suwon FC General Manager Choi Soon-ho at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Choi Soon-ho, head of Suwon FC, took the stage for Kim Joo-sung's recommendation. Choi Soon-ho said, `As soon as Kim Joo-sung joined the professional league, he swept the Rookie of the Year award, the best 11 players in each position, and the MVP. There would have been no other player with the nickname 'Wild Horse' as well-matched as him. Kim Joo-sung's selection as the inductee is a natural result."
Kim Joo-sung, who was on stage, said, "I've attended many awards ceremonies, but I've never been as emotional as I was today. As such, this induction ceremony seems to announce a new start in a different sense. I don't think those times when I was in the K League as a player were in vain as I attended the induction ceremony today. I hope the K-League will continue to grow into a league with impressions and stories. I wish the K-League an endless development," he smiled.
Former Suwon Samsung coach Kim Ho was inducted in the leadership category and Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, in the contributors category. It was Lee Ho-seung, former secretary-general of Suwon Samsung, who stepped up for Kim Ho-ho's recommendation. Director Lee Ho-seung said, `In the early days of Suwon Samsung, the coach was more bold and meticulous than anyone else in the uncertain future. The coach always treated not only the team but also the team's employees warmly, and he set the center so that everyone could unite like a family."
Director Kim Ho, who was on stage, said "He was over 80 years old. Still, it's my first time at an award ceremony like this, so I'm puzzled. Everyone is healthy, and I hope there will be days like this often."
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Former coach Kim Ho receiving the trophy
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Former Suwon Samsung coach Kim (right) receives the leadership trophy at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Trophy-winning honorary chairman Chung Mong-joon of the Korea Football Association
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Chung Mong-joon (right), honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, receives the trophy in the Contributor category from Kim Ho-gon, chairman of the Korea Football Association, at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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Kim Ho-gon, chairman of the Soccer Love Sharing Foundation, took the stage for the recommendation of Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association. Chairman of the Board Kim Ho-gon "Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-joon has been with us for numerous first steps in professional football, including the establishment of the Professional Football Federation, the establishment of a regional alliance system, and the establishment of a soccer center. The one who made K-League and Korean soccer what it is today.
Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-joon said, `Korea's soccer has developed a lot over the past 30 years, including professional soccer. I think it's all thanks to the soccer-loving leaders here, and I would like to express my gratitude. Not long ago, we played warm-up matches with the U.S. and Mexico, and our FIFA ranking is 23rd. Japan is ranked 18th. In the 2002 World Cup, we reached the semifinals and Japan reached the round of 16. I think our soccer skills should be better than this. I think soccer players should try their best", he pointed out.
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Praise Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association (right), is receiving a plaque in the contribution category from Kwon Oh-gap, president of the Korea Professional Football Association, at the 2025 K-League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. 2025.9.16 |
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2025 K League Hall of Fame induction ceremony
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sung-min = The inductees are taking a commemorative photo at the 2025 K League Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. From left, Kwon Oh-gap, president of the Korea Professional Football Association, former coach Kim Ho, Deyan, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, Kim Joo-sung, son of the late coach Yoo Sang-chul, and Kim Byung-ji. 2025.9.16 |
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And also to the administrators. Co-hosting with Japan at the 2002 World Cup was possible because he was elected as vice president of FIFA. After being elected president of the Korea Football Association, I asked soccer players. 'What do I have to do?' He said you should do the football administration, and the president should work outside. So he ran for FIFA vice president representing Asia. Many people said they wouldn't be able to do it, but they went to the election and got 11 votes and won by one vote. Asia has four regions: the Middle East, Southwest Asia, ASEAN, and the Far East. "If you go to the election, you have to get a ticket from your neighborhood, but Japan, North Korea, and China in the Far East don't take pictures of us well. "I asked for a ticket with difficulty. When I went to FIFA, there were 21 executive members. He said the 2002 World Cup is definitely held in Japan, so he shouldn't do that. He said the economy may be ahead of us, but his soccer skills are worse than ours. We don't pick students who are good at studying. It's like picking a player with a lot of money at home, he said. I had the pleasure of co-hosting and reaching the semifinals by saying things that worked and couldn't. The World Cup will be held in the United States next year, and I hope that our association, the federation, and the fans will join forces to play a good game and give great joy to our people."
The inductees who were inducted on the day were presented with commemorative uniforms and tropes along with a certificate of donation for the K-League's achievements. The trophy was emblazoned with a pure gold medal emblazoned with the symbol 'Hall of Fame', adding to the authority of the induction.
Choi Soon-ho and Hong Myung-bo and Shin Tae-yong in the Player category, Kim Jung-nam in the Leader category, and late POSCO Honorary Chairman Park Tae-joon in the Contributor category were named as the first Hall of Fame inductees in 2023.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
