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.
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| Full name | Jeju SK Football Club 제주SK축구단 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 (as Yukong FC)[1] | ||
| Ground | Jeju World Cup Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 29,791 | ||
| Owner | SK Energy | ||
| Chairman | Koo Chang-yong | ||
| Manager | Kim Hak-bum | ||
| League | K League 1 | ||
| 2024 | K League 1, 7th of 12 | ||
| Website | www | ||
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History
editThe 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
edit| 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 |
- ^ a b Between 1983 and 1986, K League didn't have a home and away system.
- ^ Bucheon SK held all home matches at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul until 2000, because Bucheon Stadium was under construction.
Emblems and mascots
editThe 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
editCurrent squad
edit- 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.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Backroom staff
editCoaching staff
edit- Manager:
Kim Hak-bum - Head coach: Kim Jung-soo
- Goalkeeping coach: Cha Sang-kwang
- Coaches: Lee Sang-ho, Cho Byung-kuk, Jo Jae-cheol
- Fitness coach: Kim Chan-bin
- Analysis coach: Lee Jun-seok
Support staff
edit- 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
edit- K League 1
- K League 2
- Winners (1): 2020
- Korean FA Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2004
- Korean League Cup
Season-by-season records
editDomestic record
edit| 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
editAll 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
edit| 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
edit- ^ "Official Club Profile at K League Website". kleague.com (in Korean). K League. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013.
- ^ Song, Ha-chil (16 December 1982). "유공 프로축구팀 창단" [Yukong establishes professional football team]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ "유공 프로축구 내일 창단" [Yukong pro football team to be founded tomorrow]. The JoongAng (in Korean). 16 December 1982. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "제주 박경훈 감독, "명가 재건을 이끌겠다"". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). 30 October 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "선수" [Players]. jejuskfc.com (in Korean). Jeju SK FC. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ "코칭스태프" [Coaching staff]. jejuskfc.com (in Korean). Jeju SK FC. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
External links
edit
- Official website (in Korean)