News: K League to hold public hearing to discuss foreign player quota, no. of top-flight teams

K League will host a public hearing titled “2025 K League Key Issues Hearing” on Tuesday, September 23rd, to discuss two major topics: the foreign player quota system in the K League and the appropriate number of teams in K League 1.

The event aims to gather input from various football experts and explore alternative policies and directions, according to a press release.

Recently, major competitions such as the AFC Champions League and other top international leagues have been moving toward expanding or even lifting restrictions on the number of foreign players. In response, the K League is seeking to discuss potential changes to enhance its international competitiveness.

Additionally, with K League 2 expanding to a 17-team format starting in 2026, the league is looking to reassess the optimal number of teams in K League 1, along with the overall structure of the league’s divisions. This discussion gains further importance as a promotion-relegation system with the K3 League is set to be introduced in 2027, requiring a more localized and realistic approach.

The event will be moderated by journalist Seo Ho-jung, with a panel that includes:

Choi Soon-ho, General Manager of Suwon FC
Koo Chang-yong, CEO of Jeju SK
Wi Won-seok, Head of Communications Committee at the Korea Football Association
Hong Jae-min, football journalist
Kim Jae-sung, member of the K League Technical Study Group
Kim Bo-kyung, player at FC Anyang