We need to think about how to manage the number of players who are positive for expanding the number of foreign quarter K League 1 teams.
Sep 23, 2025
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On the 23rd, a public hearing on major pending issues in the "2025 K League" was held at SKT Hall, Hanyang University's management office in Seoul. The public hearing, hosted by reporter Seo Ho-jung, was attended by Choi Soon-ho, head of Suwon FC, Koo Chang-yong, CEO of Jeju SK, Chairman of the Korea Football Association's Communication Committee, Kim Jae-sung, a member of the K-League TSG, and Kim Bo-kyung, a veteran of FC Anyang. Officials from each club and federation sat in the audience and listened to the public hearing.
The K-League foreign player quota system and the appropriate number of K-League 1 teams have been a hot potato in the K-League. The K-League has steadily increased the number of foreign players. This year, six players can play and four players can play. From 2026, foreign goalkeepers can also be recruited. But Asian soccer is changing faster than this. Japan even opts for unlimited possession. As the Middle East, centered on Saudi Arabia, has conquered the Asian Champions League by pouring astronomical money into recruiting foreign players, voices for change are growing. Of course, there are also many claims that the development of their own players is a priority.
There were many positive responses to the expansion of holdings. Choi Soon-ho, the head of the organization, said, `We should go in accordance with global standards. However, the system should be strengthened, such as the home-friendly system and the operation of the second-tier league due to the imbalanceReporter Hong Jae-min also said "Nationality is not necessary in terms of making a good game product. Rather, it is worth considering the foreign U-22 system." The key was the number of participants. Representative Koo Chang-yong and Kim Bo-kyung "We need to increase the number of participants considering the conditions of the players, etc." "Considering the maintenance of domestic competitiveness, the number of participants should be considered."I gave a contradictory opinion.
The proper number of K League 1 teams has been one of the long-standing debates. K League 1, which had 14 teams in 2013, has maintained 12 teams since 2014. The platform was established, and several arguments were exchanged depending on the interests of each team. As the number of K-League 2 increased, the argument that the number of K-League 1 teams needs to be changed gained convincing power. In particular, the number of K-League 1 teams at the top of Korean soccer was also an important part of the future league operation direction, as the K-League 2 will be expanded to 17 teams from 2026 and the K3 League and the promotion system will be implemented from 2027.
In general, it seemed to agree to expand. Yoo Seong-han said, `It is the right situation to increase it. It has no choice but to be connected to the platform. Under the current system, if you don't finish in the top six, you will be demoted. If it is demoted, the support will inevitably fall, so it directly leads to the problem of the club's existence. For long-term and systematic league operations, each club must set its goals well. If we increase the number of teams, we will be able to run it for a long time." Rep. Kim Jae-sung also said, `I think it is right to increase it on the premise of concerns about quality decline.' There were many voices saying that we should increase it to 14 teams and go to 16 teams as soon as possible.
There was also a counter-argument. Chairman of the Committee Chairman "The number should be smaller than it is now. In order to create a club that makes money, a league, we need to change the structure of the league. As new capital such as OTT has emerged, it is also necessary to consider the top-tier league with a small number of teams.
Reporter Park Chan-joon vanbasten@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
