 | |
| Founded | 2003; 22 years ago (2003) |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2019 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Level onpyramid | 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 |
TheKorea National League (Korean: 내셔널리그) was a South Koreansemi-professionalfootball league held annually from 2003 to 2019. It was considered the second-highest division of theSouth Korean football league system before theK League 2 was launched in 2013, and the third-highest division since then.
The Korea National League was officially founded in the name ofK2 League in 2003 to execute a plan to professionalize theKorean National Semi-Professional Football League. The participating clubs of the National League had to have their 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 theK League. However,Goyang KB Kookmin Bank andHyundai 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] TheKorea 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 theK3 League.[3]
| 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) | Gangneung Government |
| 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) | Suwon Government |
| 9 | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (2003–2016) | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard |
| 10 | Seosan Citizen (2003–2006) Seosan Omega (2007) Yesan FC (2008–2010) | Seosan Government (2003–2007) Yesan Government (2008–2010) |
| 11 | Seoul City (2003) | Seoul Government |
| 12 | Changwon City (2005–2019) | Changwon Government |
| 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) | Cheonan Government |
| 16 | Gimhae City (2008–2019) | Gimhae Government |
| 17 | Mokpo City (2010–2019) | Mokpo Government |
| 18 | Yongin City (2010–2016) | Yongin Government |
| 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) |
| 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 |
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