National League
National League
Created to bring a higher level of competition to the semi-professional teams directly below the level of the fully professional K-League, the National League is continuing to grow in stature and with membership at fourteen sides in the 2011 season.
Though officially a closed league with no relegation and no direct promotion, the champions of the National League had, since 2006, been eligible for promotion to the K-League provided they met certain financial requirements for entry to the professional league. Goyang Kookmin Bank, champions in 2006, and Ulsan Mipo Dockyard, the 2007 champions, both rejected the chance to step up to the top division, citing financial concerns as the major factor. The conditional promotion system was ended prior to the start of the 2008 season.
National League member clubs
Ansan Hallelujah
Busan Transportation Corporation
Changwon City
Cheonan City
Daejeon Hydro & Nuclear Power
Gangneung City
Gimhae City
Goyang Kookmin Bank
Incheon Korail
Mokpo City
Nowon Hummel
Suwon City
Ulsan Mipo Dockyard
Yongin City
The 2011 season
In 2011 the National League will operate a full league system with each team playing a total of 26 matches, however the league champion will be decided through a playoff system involving the top six clubs at the end of the season.
The playoffs begin with the fourth taking on fifth and third taking on sixth, with the winners of the ties squaring off for the right to take on the second overall side. The winner of that final match will then progress to the two-legged championship final where they will face the first overall team, with the aggregate winners crowned champions.
