Hwaseong FC goes pro and joins K League 2
![Cha Du-ri poses after being appointed as Hwaseong FC manager on Dec. 24, 2024. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11945291.webp?imageId=11945291&width=960&height=642&format=jpg)
Former semi-pro football club Hwaseong FC will go pro this year and join the second-tier competition.
The K League approved Hwaseong FC's membership in the K League 2 in its general assembly on Monday. Hwaseong's entry into pro football had been recommended by the league's board of directors in November last year.
Former Korea international Cha Du-ri will be the head coach in Hwaseong FC's inaugural pro season.
Founded in 2013 in the city of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, Hwaseong FC had been playing in the semi-pro K3 League. They won the K3 title in 2023 and finished as the runners-up in 2024. They had been knocking on the K League doors since 2023.
With Monday's decision, the K League 2 will feature 14 clubs in 2025.
Each season, the K League 2 champions earn direct promotion to the K League 1. Teams finishing from second to fifth places will also have a chance to be promoted to the top league through playoffs.
Yonhap
