[Official] 'Kim Cheon (SVP)' Ultimately Enters History; K League 1 License Also Denied

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• Gimpo and Chungbuk Cheongju Receive 'Conditional Approval'

Professional football club Kim Cheon (SVP) of K League 1 was unable to obtain a K League 1 license for the 2027 season. This is a result of the termination of its home city agreement with Gimcheon City at the end of this season.

The Korea Professional Football League announced on the 14th the results of the K League 1 license review, including the denial of approval for Gimcheon and the conditional approval for Gimpo FC and Chungbuk Cheongju, as decided by the Club Qualification Review Committee on the 12th.

Gimcheon was unable to obtain a K League 1 license for next season because its home city agreement with Gimcheon City ends at the conclusion of the 2026 season. It is the only team among the 29th K League clubs that has not received a K League 1 license.

K League 2 teams Gimpo and Chungbuk Cheongju both received decisions of 'conditional approval.'

It was confirmed that major financial-related matters, including embezzlement suspicions reportedly arising since 2023, were not reflected in the external accounting audit reports that Gimpo has regularly submitted each year.

Consequently, the Review Committee determined that there were issues with the reliability of the existing audit report and approved the issuance of the license on the condition that an external accounting audit be re-conducted.

However, the embezzlement suspicions in question are matters currently undergoing judicial proceedings and a special audit by Gimpo City, so no final judgment was made regarding the embezzlement itself in this license review.

The league side added that separate follow-up measures may be taken depending on future court rulings and audit results.

Chungbuk Cheongju had facility safety issues discovered at its home stadium, Cheongju General Sports Complex, resulting in the temporary closure of some spectator seating areas and entrances.

The Review Committee required the submission of a plan to carry out facility repair and renovation work by 30 days before the home opener for the 2027 season.

It also approved the issuance of the license on the condition that the implementation status of facility improvements will be inspected at that time, and the approval for hosting home games will be re-examined.

A K League 1 license must be obtained to participate in K League 1 next season. If Gimpo or Chungbuk Cheongju fails to meet the conditions and is unable to obtain a K League 1 license, they will not be able to be promoted to K League 1 next season, even if they meet the promotion criteria based on this season's standings.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original