Jeju SK FC (Korean: 제주 SK FC) is a South Korean professional football club based in Jeju Province that competes in the K League 1, the top division in South Korea. In the past, the club has been known as the Yukong Elephants, Bucheon SK, and Jeju United.

Jeju SK
Club crest
Full nameJeju SK Football Club
제주SK축구단
Founded1982; 43 years ago (1982) (as Yukong FC)[1]
GroundJeju World Cup Stadium
Capacity29,791
OwnerSK Energy
ChairmanKoo Chang-yong
ManagerKim Hak-bum
LeagueK League 1
2024K League 1, 7th of 12
Websitewww.jejuskfc.com

History

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The club was founded on 17 December 1982 as Yukong FC, becoming the second professional football club to be established in South Korea.[2] The club's mascot was an elephant and the team became known as the Yukong Elephants.[3] It was owned and financially supported by the Sunkyoung Group's subsidiary, Yukong (currently SK Group's "SK Energy"), along with Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi as its franchise. Yukong FC was a founding member of the Korean Super League, South Korea's first professional football league and forerunner to the K League.[4] Yukong Elephants won the league championship on only one occasion, in 1989.[5]

When the Super League was established there was no home and away system, but following its implementation in 1987, Yukong FC was initially based within the Seoul Metropolitan Area.[6] From 1990, the club shared Dongdaemun Stadium in Seoul with Ilhwa Chunma and LG Cheetahs.[7] In 1992, the three clubs even allowed spectators to use their club memberships to watch each other's home matches.[8]

As part of the K League's decentralization policy, in 1995 the Seoul government gave an eviction order to the three clubs based in Seoul (Yukong Elephants, LG Cheetahs and Ilhwa Chunma). However, they guaranteed that if clubs built a football-specific stadium in Seoul, they could have a Seoul franchise and return to Seoul.[8] As a result, the three clubs were forced to move their home base from Seoul to other cities.

In 1996, Yukong moved to the city of Bucheon, a satellite city of Seoul. Mid-way through the 1997 season, the club re-branded itself as Bucheon SK.[6] Because the city of Bucheon lacked a stadium, they used the Mokdong Stadium in Seoul until 2000. At the start of the 2001 season, the team moved to the 35,545-capacity Bucheon Leports Complex. In February 2006, Bucheon SK announced their move to Jeju without any fore notice, and renamed as Jeju United FC.[9]

On 3 November 2007, head coach Jung Hae-seong announced his resignation after accepting the position of assistant coach for the South Korea national team. The club stated that they intended to appoint a foreign manager as his replacement. In January 2008, Artur Jorge was appointed as the new head coach. Artur's emphasis on passing play and entertaining football was well received by fans; however, the team finished 10th in the 2008 K League season and remained in the lower mid-table throughout the 2009 K League season. As a result, on 14 October 2009, he announced his resignation before the end of the season, and assistant coach Cho Jin-ho took over as interim manager.[10] He was replaced shortly afterwards by former under-17 national team coach Park Kyung-hoon.[11]

At the beginning of the 2019 season, the team struggled with poor performances. As a result, they parted ways with head coach Jo Sung-hwan, who had led the team for nearly five years, and appointed Choi Yun-kyum as his successor. During the mid-season, the club attempted to turn things around by signing new players such as Yun Il-lok and Choi Kyu-baek, while Yoon Bit-garam returned to the team after completing his military service. However, despite these efforts, the team finished at the bottom of the league standings and was relegated to the second division for the first time since its establishment.[12]

In 2025, the club rebranded as Jeju SK FC.[13]

Franchise relocation history

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Club name City / Area Period
Yukong Elephants Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi 1983[a]
Yukong Elephants Seoul 1984–1986[a]
Yukong Elephants Incheon, Gyeonggi 1987–1990
Yukong Elephants Seoul – Dongdaemun Stadium 1991–1995
Bucheon Yukong
Bucheon SK
Seoul – Mokdong Stadium[b] 1996
Bucheon SK Bucheon – Bucheon Stadium 1997–2005
Jeju United Jeju  – Jeju World Cup Stadium 2006–2024
Jeju SK 2025–present
  1. ^ a b Between 1983 and 1986, K League didn't have a home and away system.
  2. ^ Bucheon SK held all home matches at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul until 2000, because Bucheon Stadium was under construction.

Emblems and mascots

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The club's mascots include Gam Gyuri, Hallahalbang and Baeknogi. Among them, Gam Gyuri is the most representative mascot and is known for its strong sense of responsibility, leading the Gam Gyuri family and Jeju SK.[14]

Players

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Current squad

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As of 17 June 2025[15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   KOR Kim Dong-jun
2 DF   KOR Kim Jae-woo
3 DF   KOR Jang Min-gyu
4 DF   KOR Song Ju-hun
5 MF   BRA Italo
6 MF   KOR Kim Jung-min
8 MF   KOR Lee Chang-min (captain)
9 FW   BRA Yuri
10 MF   KOR Nam Tae-hee
11 FW   BRA Evandro
13 DF   KOR Chung Woon
14 MF   KOR Kim Geon-woong
15 FW   BRA Denílson
17 FW   KOR Yu In-soo
18 MF   KOR Oh Jae-hyeok
19 FW   KOR Shin Sang-eun
20 DF   KOR Choi Won-chang
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 GK   KOR An Chan-gi
22 DF   KOR An Tae-hyun
23 DF   KOR Rim Chang-woo
24 FW   KOR Choi Byung-wook
25 MF   KOR Kim Jae-min
26 DF   KOR Lim Chai-min
27 MF   KOR Kim Jun-ha
28 FW   KOR Kang Min-jae
29 DF   KOR Jo In-jung
30 MF   KOR Kim Jin-ho
31 GK   KOR Cho Sung-bin
33 FW   KOR Ji Sang-wook
37 MF   KOR Kwon Sun-ho
38 DF   KOR Kim Jee-woon
40 DF   KOR Kim Ryun-seong
41 GK   KOR Joo Seung-min
50 FW   KOR Park Dong-jin

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   KOR Heo Kang-jun (to Daejeon Korail)
DF   KOR Hong Joon-ho (to Chungbuk Cheongju)
DF   KOR Kim Tae-hwan (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)
MF   KOR Kang Hyo-on (to Daejeon Korail)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW   KOR Jegal Jae-min (to Gimpo FC)
FW   KOR Kim Hyeon-woo (to FC Mokpo)
FW   KOR Kim Seung-sub (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)
FW   KOR Lee Kun-hee (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)

Backroom staff

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Coaching staff

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Support staff

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  • Rehabilitation trainers:   Yoon Jae-young,   Park Sun-ho,   Ha Tae-jun
  • Team manager:   Kim Dong-geon
  • Kit manager:   Moon Seong-jun
  • Interpreter:   Moon Jun-ho
  • Head driver:   Oh Kyung-myung

Source: Official website[16]

Honours

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Season-by-season records

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Domestic record

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Season Division Tms. Pos. FA Cup
1983 1 5 3
1984 1 8 2
1985 1 8 5
1986 1 6 4
1987 1 5 3
1988 1 5 3
1989 1 6 1
1990 1 6 4
1991 1 6 4
1992 1 6 6
1993 1 6 5
1994 1 7 2
1995 1 8 4
1996 1 9 4 Semi-final
1997 1 10 10 Quarter-final
1998 1 10 7 Round of 16
1999 1 10 3 Quarter-final
2000 1 10 2 Semi-final
2001 1 10 7 Round of 16
2002 1 10 8 Round of 16
2003 1 12 12 Semi-final
2004 1 13 13 Runners-up
2005 1 13 5 Round of 16
2006 1 14 13 Round of 32
2007 1 14 11 Semi-final
2008 1 14 10 Round of 32
2009 1 15 14 Quarter-final
2010 1 15 2 Semi-final
2011 1 16 9 Round of 16
2012 1 16 6 Semi-final
2013 1 14 9 Semi-final
2014 1 12 5 Round of 32
2015 1 12 6 Quarter-final
2016 1 12 3 Round of 32
2017 1 12 2 Round of 16
2018 1 12 5 Quarter-final
2019 1 12 12 Round of 16
2020 2 10 1 Round of 16
2021 1 12 4 Third round
2022 1 12 5 Round of 16
2023 1 12 9 Semi-final
2024 1 12 7 Semi-final
Key
  • Tms. = Number of teams
  • Pos. = Position in league

AFC Champions League record

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All results (home and away) list Jeju's goal tally first.

Season Round Opposition Home Away Agg.
2011 Group E   Tianjin TEDA 0–1 0–3 3rd
  Melbourne Victory 1–1 2–1
  Gamba Osaka 2–1 1–3
2017 Group H   Jiangsu Suning 0–1 2–1 2nd
  Gamba Osaka 2–0 4–1
  Adelaide United 1–3 3–3
Round of 16   Urawa Red Diamonds 2–0 0–3 (a.e.t.) 2–3
2018 Group G   Guangzhou Evergrande 0–2 3–5 4th
  Cerezo Osaka 0–1 1–2
  Buriram United 0–1 2–0

Managerial history

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No. Name Start End Season(s) Notes
1
  Lee Jong-hwan 1982/04/20 1985/07/21 1983–1985 Resigned in the middle of season.
2
  Kim Jung-nam 1985/07/21 1992/05/12 1985–1992 Resigned in the middle of season.
C   Park Young-hwan 1986/??/?? 1986/??/?? 1986 Kim Jung-nam was called up as a national team manager (1986 FIFA World Cup, 1986 Asian Games).
C   Choi Jong-duk 1988/07/13 1988/09/14 1988 Kim Jung-nam was called up as a national team manager (1988 Summer Olympics).
C   Park Sung-hwa
  Ham Heung-chul
1992/05/12 1992/12/19 1992
3
  Park Sung-hwa 1992/12/20 1994/10/29 1993–1994
C   Cho Yoon-hwan 1994/10/30 1994/12/31 1994
4
  Valeri Nepomniachi 1995/01/01 1998/10/31 1995–1998
C   Cho Yoon-hwan 1998/11/01 1998/12/31 1998
5
  Cho Yoon-hwan 1999/01/01 2001/08/14 1999–2001 Resigned in the middle of season.
C   Choi Yun-kyum 2001/08/14 2001/08/31 2001
6
  Choi Yun-kyum 2001/09/01 2002/09/01 2001–2002 Resigned in the middle of season.
7
  Tınaz Tırpan 2002/09/02 2003/05/14 2002–2003 Resigned in the middle of season.
C   Ha Jae-hoon 2003/05/14 2003/07/18 2003
8
  Ha Jae-hoon 2003/07/19 2003/12/31 2003
9
  Jung Hae-seong 2004/01/01 2007/11/03 2004–2007
10
  Arthur Bernardes 2008/01/04 2009/10/14 2008–2009 Resigned in the middle of season.
C   Cho Jin-ho 2009/10/14 2009/10/29 2009
11
  Park Kyung-hoon 2009/10/30 2014/12/03 2010–2014
12
  Jo Sung-hwan 2014/12/19 2016/10/14 2014–2016
13
  Kim In-soo 2016/10/14 2016/12/15 2016 Appointed for the AFC Champions League matches.
14
  Jo Sung-hwan 2016/12/30 2019/05/02 2017–2019
15
  Choi Yun-kyum 2019/05/03 2019/11/30 2019
16
  Nam Ki-il 2019/12/26 2023/09/26 2020–2023
C   Jung Jo-gook 2023/09/26 2023/12/04 2023
17
  Kim Hak-bum 2023/12/05 present 2024–present

References

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  1. ^ "Official Club Profile at K League Website". kleague.com (in Korean). K League. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013.
  2. ^ Song, Ha-chil (16 December 1982). "유공 프로축구팀 창단" [Yukong establishes professional football team]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  3. ^ "유공 프로축구 내일 창단" [Yukong pro football team to be founded tomorrow]. The JoongAng (in Korean). 16 December 1982. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  4. ^ Lee, Mu-heon (14 November 2008). "강원FC 창단 15개 구단 시대 '활짝'" [Foundation of Gangwon FC throws open the era of 15 clubs]. Gangwon News (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  5. ^ Im, Jung-taek (25 January 2016). "'응답하라 1989' 꿈꾸는 제주, 1989년생 주축으로 돌풍 예고" ['Reply 1989' Dreamers Jeju United predict great things from key player born in 1989]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b Kim, Jung-hyun (6 January 2025). "SK 20년 만에 재등장 '제주 유나이티드' → '제주 SK' 명칭 변경" [SK makes a reappearance after 20 years as 'Jeju United' becomes 'Jeju SK']. Sporki (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  7. ^ "'프로축구 서울팀을 없애라' 청와대가 개입했을까" ['Get the pro football teams out of Seoul'... Why would the Blue House intervene?]. Korea Times (in Korean). 20 April 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b Park, Sang-gyung (9 April 2014). "K리그 서울 연고의 어제와 오늘" [K League's Seoul teams: yesterday and today]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  9. ^ Yang, Joo-seung (2 February 2006). "부천 축구팬 충격 'SK프로축구단, 부천시대 안녕'" [Bucheon football fans in shock as SK waves goodbye to its Bucheon era]. Bucheon Times (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  10. ^ "알툴 자진 사퇴...조진호 코치가 감독대행" [Altul steps down as head coach...Cho Jin-ho takes over]. sports.news.nate.com (in Korean). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  11. ^ "제주 박경훈 감독, "명가 재건을 이끌겠다"". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). 30 October 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  12. ^ "제주, 결국 창단 첫 2부리그 강등 굴욕" [Jeju finally suffers first relegation humiliation in franchise history]. sports.donga.com (in Korean). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  13. ^ "프로축구 제주 유나이티드, '제주SK FC'로 구단 명칭 변경" [Pro football club Jeju United rebrands as 'Jeju SK FC']. MBC News (in Korean). 6 January 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  14. ^ "제주UTD, 12번째 캐릭터 선수 '감규리 패밀리' 공개" [Jeju UTD unveils 12th character player, Gam Gyuri Family]. isplus.com (in Korean). 16 February 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  15. ^ "선수" [Players]. jejuskfc.com (in Korean). Jeju SK FC. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  16. ^ "코칭스태프" [Coaching staff]. jejuskfc.com (in Korean). Jeju SK FC. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
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