K3 League (2007–2019)

The K3 League was a South Korean amateur football league held annually from 2007 to 2019. It was considered the third-highest division of the South Korean football league system before the K League 2 was launched in 2013, and the fourth-highest division since then. In 2017, it was divided into K3 League Advanced and fifth-tier league K3 League Basic, and introduced a system of promotion and relegation. In 2020, it was reborn as a semi-professional league after merging with the Korea National League.

This article is about the former amateur football league held from 2007 to 2019. For the current semi-professional football league, see K3 League.
K3 League
Organising bodyKorea Football Association
Founded2007 (2007)
First season2007
Folded2019
CountrySouth Korea
DivisionsK3 League Advanced
K3 League Basic
Level on pyramid3 (2007–2012)
4 (2013–2016)
4–5 (2017–2019)
Domestic cup(s)Korean FA Cup
League cup(s)Challengers Cup
Most championshipsPocheon Citizen (6 titles)
K3 League
Hangul
K3리그
Revised RomanizationK3 Rigeu
McCune–ReischauerK3 Rigŭ

History

The K3 League had an exhibition season held in two stages with ten teams in 2007. The winners of both stages and the best two clubs in the overall standings qualified for the championship playoffs and the 2008 Korean FA Cup. Seoul United became inaugural champions after winning the championship playoffs.

After the league was officially launched in 2008, the number of participating clubs was increased to 18 until the 2010 season, while new clubs registered in the league or some of the existing clubs were dissolved due to financial problems. Seoul Pabal, which engaged in match-fixing scandal during the 2008 season, was also dissolved at that time.

It was renamed the Challengers League in 2011 and the K3 Challengers League in 2014, but used original name again since 2015 after being criticised for being confused with a youth league of K League clubs (which had the same name) and the K League Challenge.[1][2]

In 2017, it introduced a system of promotion and relegation, and was divided into the first division K3 League Advanced and the second division the K3 League Basic.

After the 2019 season, amateur level K3 League was revamped as a semi-professional league with the same name. The Korea National League and the K3 League Advanced were absorbed into the third division and were rebranded as the new K3 League.

Competition format

Regular season
  • 2007–2008: After the regular season was operated in two stages, the winners of both stages and the best two clubs in the overall standings qualified for the championship playoffs.
  • 2009: All clubs played home and away season, and the championship playoffs were not held.
  • 2010–2012: The participating clubs were divided into two groups, and the winners and runners-up of both groups qualified for the championship playoffs. All clubs had interleague play once after playing home and away season in each group.
  • 2013–2015: The third-placed clubs of both groups also qualified for the championship playoffs.[3]
  • 2016–2019: All clubs played in a single league without groups, and the top five clubs qualified for the championship playoffs.[4][5]

Championship playoffs
  • 2007–2011: All four clubs entered in the semi-finals.
  • 2012: On the basis of the overall standings, third and fourth-placed club entered the first round, and first-placed club directly advanced to the final (third round).
  • 2013–2015: On the basis of the overall standings, first and second-placed club directly advanced to the final and semi-final respectively, and the other four clubs entered the first round.
  • 2016–2019: The winners of the regular season directly advanced to the final, and the other four clubs entered the first round.

All-time clubs

    • Champions

    List of champions
    Season Champions Runners-up
    2007 Seoul United Hwasung Shinwoo Electronics
    2008 Yangju Citizen Hwasung Shinwoo Electronics
    2009 Pocheon Citizen Gwangju Gwangsan
    2010 Gyeongju Citizen Hwasung Shinwoo Electronics
    2011 Gyeongju Citizen Yangju Citizen
    2012 Pocheon Citizen Chuncheon FC
    2013 Pocheon Citizen Paju Citizen
    2014 Hwaseong FC Pocheon Citizen
    2015 Pocheon Citizen Gyeongju Citizen
    2016 Pocheon Citizen Cheongju City
    2017 Pocheon Citizen Cheongju City
    2018 Gyeongju Citizen Icheon Citizen
    2019 Hwaseong FC Yangpyeong FC

    Titles by club
    Club Champions Runners-up
    Pocheon Citizen 5 (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016) 1 (2014)
    Gyeongju Citizen 3 (2010, 2011, 2017) 1 (2015)
    Hwaseong FC 2 (2014, 2019) —
    Yangju Citizen 1 (2008) 1 (2011)
    Seoul United 1 (2007) —
    Hwasung Shinwoo Electronics — 3 (2007, 2008, 2010)
    Gwangju Gwangsan — 1 (2009)
    Chuncheon FC — 1 (2012)
    Paju Citizen — 1 (2013)
    Yangpyeong FC — 1 (2019)
    Cheongju City — 2 (2016, 2017)

    List of champions (Basic)
    Season Champions Runners-up
    2017 Seoul Jungnang Siheung Citizen
    2018 Siheung Citizen Paju Citizen
    2019 Ulsan Citizen Jeonju Citizen

    See also

    References
    1. 리그 명칭 변경.(K3 챌린저스리그) (in Korean). Seoul United. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
    2. 2015 K3리그 대진추첨, ‘강팀 포진’ A조-‘이변 기대’ B조 (in Korean). KFA. 28 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
    3. 전주시민축구단, 14일 리그 홈 개막전 (in Korean). Jeonmin Ilbo. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
    4. 한층 업그레이드 된 K3리그, 관전포인트 셋. Naver.com (in Korean). KFA. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
    5. [K3리그 개막특집] 전문가 3인에게 한번 물어봤습니다.. Naver.com (in Korean). KFA. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
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