Korea National League
Semi-professional South Korean football league (2003–2019)
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The Korea National League (Korean: 내셔널리그) 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 from 2013 to its folding in 2019.
| |
| Founded | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2019 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Level on pyramid | 2 (2003–2012) 3 (2013–2019) |
| Domestic cup | Korean FA Cup |
| League cup | National League Championship |
| Most championships | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (7 titles) |
| Website | n-league.net |
History
The Korea National League was officially founded as K2 League in 2003 to execute a plan to professionalize the Korean National Semi-Professional Football League. The participating clubs of the National League were required to be based in their specific 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. | Club | Owner(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iksan Hallelujah (2003) Gimpo Hallelujah (2004–2006) Ansan Hallelujah (2007–2011) Ansan H FC (2012) |
|
| 2 | Daejeon KHNP (2003–2012) Gyeongju KHNP (2013–2019) |
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power |
| 3 | Gangneung City (2003–2019) | Government of Gangneung |
| 4 | Gimpo Kookmin Bank (2003) Goyang Kookmin Bank (2003–2005) Goyang KB Kookmin Bank (2006–2012) |
Kookmin Bank |
| 5 | Incheon Korail (2003–2013) Daejeon Korail (2014–2019) |
Korail |
| 6 | Uijeongbu Hummel (2003–2005) Icheon Hummel (2006–2007) Nowon Hummel (2008–2009) Chungju Hummel (2010–2012) |
Hummel Korea |
| 7 | Icheon Sangmu (2003–2005) | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps |
| 8 | Suwon City (2003–2012) | Government of Suwon |
| 9 | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (2003–2016) | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard |
| 10 | Seosan Citizen (2003–2006) Seosan Omega (2007) Yesan FC (2008–2010) |
Government of Seosan (2003–2007) Government of Yesan (2008–2010) |
| 11 | Seoul City (2003) | Government of Seoul |
| 12 | Changwon City (2005–2019) | Government of Changwon |
| 13 | Busan Transportation Corporation (2006–2019) | Busan Transportation Corporation |
| 14 | INGNEX FC (2007) Hongcheon Idu (2008–2009) |
INGNEX (2007) Idu Construction (2008–2009) |
| 15 | Cheonan City (2008–2019) | Government of Cheonan |
| 16 | Gimhae City (2008–2019) | Government of Gimhae |
| 17 | Mokpo City (2010–2019) | Government of Mokpo |
| 18 | Yongin City (2010–2016) | Government of Yongin |
Champions
Champions by season
Performance by club
| Club | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | 7 (2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) | — |
| Goyang KB Kookmin Bank | 3 (2003, 2004, 2006) | 2 (2011, 2012) |
| Gyeongju KHNP | 2 (2017, 2018) | 4 (2010, 2013, 2015, 2019) |
| Gangneung City | 2 (2009, 2019) | 2 (2004, 2016) |
| Daejeon Korail | 2 (2005, 2012) | 1 (2014) |
| Suwon City | 1 (2010) | 3 (2005, 2007, 2008) |
| Gimhae City | — | 3 (2009, 2017, 2018) |
| Icheon Sangmu | — | 1 (2003) |
| Gimpo Hallelujah | — | 1 (2006) |
Sponsorship
| Sponsor | Season | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Motor Company | 2003[a] | Hyundai Motors Cup K2 League |
| Intermax AD | 2003[b] | Intermax Cup K2 League |
| Hyundai Motor Company | 2004 | Hyundai Motors Cup K2 League |
| Kookmin Bank | 2005 | KB Kookmin Bank Cup K2 League |
| STC Company | 2006–2007[a] | STC Cup National League |
| Kookmin Bank | 2007[b]–2008 | KB Kookmin Bank National League |
| Kyobo Life Insurance | 2009 | Kyobo Life National League |
| Korea Life Insurance | 2010 | Daehan Life National League |
| Samsung Life Insurance | 2011 | Samsung Life National League |
| Shinhan Bank | 2012–2013 | Shinhan Bank National League |
| Samsung Life Insurance | 2014 | Samsung Life National League |
| Incheon International Airport Corporation | 2015–2017 | Incheon International Airport National League |
| Hanwha Life Insurance | 2018 | Hanhwa Life National League |
| Kyobo Life Insurance | 2019 | Kyobo Life National League |