Promotion to K League 1

The promotion to K League 1 takes place in the South Korean football league system through direct promotion of the top ranked K League 2 to K League 1 and relegation to K League 1 .

This page lists all promoted and relegation games since 2013, when the K League 2 was founded. The conditions for ascent have changed a little over time. For example, the champion of the K League Challenge 2013 played in the relegation against the penultimate. Since 2014 , play-off matches have been taking place in the K League 2 between the second to fourth place, and the winner plays in the relegation.

Relegation between the K League leagues (K League Challenge 2013)

Promotion to the K League Classic 2013

In 2013, the champions of K League 2 played against the penultimate of K League 1 .

Relegation K League Classic - K League Challenge

11th the K League Classic	total	Champion of the K League Challenge	First leg	Return leg
Gangwon FC	2: 4	Sangju Sangmu FC	1: 4	1-0

Participation in K League Classic 2014

Promotion and relegation between the K League leagues (K League Challenge since 2014)

Promotion to the K League Classic 2014

The champions of the K League Challenge rose straight away, while the second to fourth placed in the play-off games played for the relegation.

Direct climber

team	league
Daejeon Citizen	Champion of the K League Challenge 2014

Relegation K League Classic - K League Challenge

11th the K League Classic	total	K League Challenge play-off winners	First leg	Return leg
Gyeongnam FC	2: 4	Gwangju FC	1: 3	1: 1

Participation in the K League Classic 2015

Promotion to the K League Classic 2015

The champions of the K League Challenge rose straight away, while the second to fourth placed in the play-off games played for the relegation.

Direct climber

team	league
Sangju Sangmu FC	Champion of the K League Challenge 2015

Relegation K League Classic - K League Challenge

11th the K League Classic	total	K League Challenge play-off winners	First leg	Return leg
Busan IPark	0: 3	Suwon FC	0: 1	0: 2

Participation in K League Classic 2016

Promotion to K League Classic 2016

The champions of the K League Challenge rose straight away, while the second to fourth placed in the play-off games played for the relegation.

Direct climber

team	league
Daegu FC	Second in the K League Challenge 2016 *

= Master Ansan Mugunghwa FC was not eligible for promotion, so the runner-up was promoted directly.

Relegation K League Classic - K League Challenge

11th the K League Classic	total	K League Challenge play-off winners	First leg	Return leg
Seongnam FC	( a ) 1: 1	Gangwon FC	0-0	1: 1

Participation in K League Classic 2017

Promotion to the K League Classic 2017

The champions of the K League Challenge rose straight away, while the second to fourth placed in the play-off games played for the relegation.

Direct climber

team	league
Gyeongnam FC	Champion of the K League Challenge 2017

Relegation K League Classic - K League Challenge

11th the K League Classic	total	K League Challenge play-off winners	First leg	Return leg
Sangju Sangmu FC	2: 1	Busan IPark FC	1-0	1: 1 (5: 4 as new )

Participation in K League 1 2018

Promotion to K League 1 2018

The champions of K League 2 rose straight away, while the second to fourth placed in the play-off games played for the relegation.

Direct climber

team	league
Seongnam FC	Runner-up in K League 2 2018 *

= Master Asan Mugunghwa FC was not eligible for promotion, so the runner-up was promoted directly.

Relegation K League 1 - K League 2

11. the K League 1	total	K League 2 play-off winners	First leg	Return leg
FC Seoul	4: 2	Busan IPark	1: 3	1: 1

Participation in K League 1 2019

Individual evidence

↑ Match report 2013 K-League relegation. In: soccerway.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .
↑ Match report 2014 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .
↑ Match report 2015 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .
↑ Match report 2016 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .
↑ Match report 2017 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .
↑ https://www.liveticker.com/spiel/YPAZBmPl/#spiel-zammlung first leg report
↑ https://www.liveticker.com/spiel/CG9wB7ve/#spiel-zammlung second leg report

[1] Match report 2013 K-League relegation. In: soccerway.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .

[2] Match report 2014 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .

[3] Match report 2015 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .

[4] Match report 2016 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .

[5] Match report 2017 K-League relegation. In: liveticker.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017 .

[6] ttps://www.liveticker.com/spiel/YPAZBmPl/#spiel-zammlung first leg report

[7] ttps://www.liveticker.com/spiel/CG9wB7ve/#spiel-zammlung second leg report