Korea Women's Football Federation

Korea Women's Football Federation
AFC
Founded9 March 2001
HeadquartersKFA House, Seoul
ChairmanYang Myung-seok
Websitehttps://www.kwff.or.kr/

The Korea Women's Football Federation (KWFF; Korean: 한국여자축구연맹) is the governing body for women's association football in South Korea. It was founded in 2001 and runs the WK League as well as several domestic tournaments.

History

Early years (2001–2008)

The KWFF was founded on 9 March 2001 in Seoul, with Soongmin Wonders manager Park Jong-hwan as chairman.[1] Under his leadership, the KWFF established several national women's football tournaments.[2] When Park was appointed manager of the newly established professional men's team Daegu FC, he stepped down as KWFF chairman and was replaced by Kim Jong-hwi.[3][4] A professor in the sports department of Sangmyung University, Kim was the first woman to become a delegate, and later vice-chairperson of the Korea Football Association, before being appointed to lead the KWFF.[5] Kim promised to bring about a revival of Korean women's football and expressed the aim to make South Korea one of the world's best teams, but from the beginning of her tenure, she clashed with other officials and coaches within the organisation and resigned after only three months in the role.[4][5]

After two months with nobody at the helm, Lee Ui-soo was selected to see out the remainder of his predecessor's term.[6] He oversaw investment in domestic football, seeing growth within Korea as a natural stepping stone towards the country's success on the international stage.[7] During Lee's time as chairman, two women's works football teams were founded, bringing the total in South Korea to six, and a women's football training centre was built in Jecheon.[8] Lee was also responsible for the introduction of a system whereby all players in elementary school girls' football academies received English lessons at least once a week.[9]

Oh Kyu-sang era (2009–2024)

Lee Ui-soo remained in the role until late 2008, when he stepped down.[10] Having served as vice-chair since 2003, former footballer Oh Kyu-sang was elected as the KWFF's fifth chairperson.[11] In his first term as chair, Oh was responsible for the inaugural season of the WK League.[12][13] In 2012, he was elected for a second term in charge, despite accusations of discrepancies in the election process made by rival candidate Moon Sang-mo.[14][15]

Following the disbandment of Icheon Daekyo WFC in 2017, the KWFF liaised with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local governments to establish Changnyeong WFC and maintain the eight-team system in the WK League.[16]

In 2024 Oh Kyu-sang announced that the KWFF would no longer organise the WK League, instead focusing on the operation of its four annual tournaments and other provisions for youth football.[17][18] The KWFF had drawn criticism for the lack of development in the WK League since its foundation in 2009, and for reportedly appointing unqualified candidates as board members for several years.[16][19] Oh was elected for a fifth term as chairman but died in late 2024.[20]

Revival under Yang Myung-seok (2025–present)

Following Oh's death, the KWFF elected Yang Myung-seok as chairman. Shortly after taking up the role, Yang announced the restructuring of the KWFF and a renewed commitment to the WK League.[21] In September 2025, the KWFF revealed the 'W-Project', a ten-year development plan for women's football in Korea, with aims including the expansion and professionalisation of the WK League.[22] Shortly afterwards, the federation announced plans to raise the WK League salary cap for the first time in fifteen years and change rules regarding the recruitment of players.[23][24] Later the same year, the KWFF pledged support for the KFA's launch of the W Korea Cup, a women's equivalent to the Korea Cup, a pre-existing men's competition.[25]

In a New Year address at the start of 2026, Yang Myung-seok announced the upcoming launch of the WU League for women's university teams, as well as renewing the KWFF's commitment to the development of the W Korea Cup.[26] In a statement, Yang also said that the KWFF would collaborate with WK League teams to improve marketing of the league, and introduce paid attendance for WK League matches through a unified ticketing platform.[27]

Presidents

  • Park Jong-hwan (2001–2003)
  • Kim Jong-hwi (2003)
  • Lee Ui-soo (2003–2009)
  • Oh Kyu-sang (2009–2024)
  • Yang Myung-seok (2025–present)

Competitions

WK League

Main article: WK League

The KWFF, in association with the Korea Football Association, is responsible for organising the semi-professional WK League, the highest division of women's football in South Korea. The league was launched in 2009 following a pilot scheme the previous year.[28] The WK League was initially contested between six teams but has since expanded to eight. In 2025 the KWFF announced its intention to expand the league to ten teams by 2035.[29]

Tournaments

Spring Korea Women's Football Championship

The Spring Korea Women's Football Championship (춘계 한국여자축구연맹전) was established in 1962. The senior division was discontinued in 2009 following the establishment of the WK League.

Queen's Cup

The first edition of the Queen's Cup (여왕기 전국여자축구대회) was held at Dongdaemun Stadium in May 1993.[30] The competition initially featured elementary school (U-12), middle school (U-15), high school (U-18), university and senior divisions, but the senior division was discontinued after the 2008 edition due to the establishment of the WK League.

Fall Korea Women's Football Championship

The Fall Korea Women's Football Championship (추계 한국여자축구연맹전) was established in 2002. At the first edition of the tournament, held in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, 400 girls and women took part across five age divisions: elementary school (U-12), middle school (U-15), high school (U-18), university and senior.[2] The senior division was discontinued in 2009 following the establishment of the WK League.

National Women's Football Championship

The National Women's Football Championship (전국여자축구선수권대회) was established in 2002.[31] In 2025 the KWFF agreed to consider changing the format of the competition or discontinuing the senior division if necessary to make room in the football calendar for the new W Korea Cup.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ 한국 여자축구연맹이 출범 [Korea Women's Football Federation launched]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 9 March 2001. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b Son, Gun-il (23 July 2002). 추계女축구연맹전 오늘 횡성종합운동장 [Fall Women's Football Championship takes place today at Hoengseong stadium]. Gangwon Domin Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  3. ^ Jin, Se-geun (14 April 2003). 대구 박종환 감독 '눈높이 축구훈련' [Daegu manager Park Jong-hwan 'high standards for football training']. The JoongAng (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b 김종희 여자축구연맹회장, 취임 3개월만에 사퇴 [KWFF chair Kim Jong-hwi resigns after just three months in role]. KBS News (in Korean). 28 April 2003. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  5. ^ a b Yang, Eun-ju (1 October 2003). 김종희 여자축구연맹 회장 [KWFF chair Kim Jong-hwi]. Hankooki (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  6. ^ 여자축구, 이의수 새 회장영입.. 중흥의 기틀 마련 [Women's football: Lee Ui-soo appointed chair, laying foundations for a revival]. KBS News (in Korean). 25 June 2003. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  7. ^ Kim, Sung-won (17 September 2010). 한국 여자축구 와~, 무엇이 그녀들을 춤추게 했을까 [Korean women's football wow! What's making them dance?]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  8. ^ Park, Sung-min (14 November 2008). 이의수 여자축구연맹 회장 사퇴 의사 [KWFF chairman Lee Ui-soo's intention to resign]. Sports Hankook (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  9. ^ Lee, Hae-jun (26 September 2010). 20년 전 일본에 1-13 참패 … 그 일본 꺾고 정상 오르다 [20 years ago we lost 1-13 to Japan... now we can beat that same Japan to the top]. JoongAng Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  10. ^ Lee, Chang-ho (1 October 2010). 전 여자축구연맹 회장 이의수 [Former KWFF chairman Lee Ui-soo]. Hankooki (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  11. ^ Kim, Ki-yeol (4 January 2009). 한국여자축구연맹 회장 취임 [Korean Women's Football Federation chair inaugrated]. Ulsan Jeil Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  12. ^ Choi, Hyun-gil (12 May 2009). 여자축구연맹오규상회장“여자축구가장큰과제는저변확대” [KWFF chair Oh Kyu-sang: "The biggest task in women's football is expanding the base"]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  13. ^ Kim, Jae-won (16 April 2009). "Beautiful football". Korea Times. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  14. ^ Kim, Seung-beom (17 December 2012). 여자축구연맹 오규상 회장 연임 성공 [Oh Kyu-sang successfully elected as KWFF chair]. Seogwipo Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  15. ^ Son, Ae-sung (14 December 2012). 오규상 여자축구연맹 회장 재선, 6대 회장 당선 [KWFF chair Oh Kyu-sang re-elected in sixth chairperson election]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  16. ^ a b Kim, Chang-geum (18 November 2024). 5선 행보 여자축구연맹 오규상 회장의 아전인수 [Oh Kyu-sang to begin fifth term as chairman of KWFF]. Hani (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  17. ^ Lee, Ee-jin (15 November 2024). 5선 유력한 여자축구연맹 오규상 회장 "WK리그 운영 그만두기로" [Oh Kyu-sang, likely to win fifth term as KWFF chair: "I plan to stop operation of the WK League"]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  18. ^ Shin, Hee-jae (20 November 2024). WK리그 존폐 위기, 뿌리 흔들리는 여자축구 [WK League in crisis, women's football shaking at its roots]. Sports Q (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  19. ^ Lee, Ee-jin (28 October 2024). 결격 사유 임원들 버젓이…연맹 행정 체계적으로 쇄신해야(끝) [Like the disqualified executives, the federation needs systematic reform]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  20. ^ Ahn, Hong-seok (20 December 2024). '여자축구 WK리그 산파' 오규상 여자연맹 회장 별세 ['Midwife of WK League' KWFF chairman Oh Kyu-sang dies]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  21. ^ "KWFF announces restructuring, finally updates social media". WK League News. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  22. ^ "KWFF announces "W-Project" 10-year development plan for Korean women's football". WK League News. 13 September 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  23. ^ "WK League salary cap to be raised for first time in 15 years". WK League News. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  24. ^ Bae, Jin-nam (27 September 2025). WK리그 최고연봉 5천만원→6천만원…구단별 2명까지는 상한 없어 [WK League salary cap raised from 50 million won to 60 million won... no cap for two players per team]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  25. ^ a b Choi, Taylor (27 December 2025). "KFA launches historic W Korea Cup in 2026, revamps men's tournament format". Queensfield. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  26. ^ Choi, Taylor (7 January 2026). "South Korea's women's soccer league targets growth with ticketing system and paid entry initiative". Queensfield. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  27. ^ "KWFF: WK League tickets coming soon". WK League News. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  28. ^ 여자축구 실업 WK-리그 출범..올스타전 포함 총 63경기 치르기로 [Women's works football league WK League launched.. 63 matches including all-star game] (in Korean). Chosun Ilbo. November 27, 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  29. ^ "KWFF announces "W-Project" 10-year development plan for Korean women's football". WK League News. 13 September 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  30. ^ Jin, Jung-young (4 May 1993). '축구여왕'은 내차지... [I'm the 'queen of football'...]. Hankyoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 17 November 2025 – via Naver News Library.
  31. ^ Park, Jong-wan (17 July 2024). 스포츠메카 창녕, 2025년까지 여자축구선수권대회 유치 [Sports Mecca Changnyeong to host National Women's Football Championship until 2025]. Seoul Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 27 November 2025.
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