WK League News

The Korea Women’s Football Federation (KWFF) last week announced its restructuring, with a long-overdue but welcome website update and return to social media.

Although the 2025 WK League is well underway, with teams already into the second round robin of the season, on social media the KWFF has been notable so far only through its absence. In March, the Federation posted a handful of updates related to the new season, and then disappeared, leaving some fans wondering if they even remembered the league they’re running. However, those fears can now be put to rest as the KWFF is indeed back, more active than ever, and with good reason to be optimistic about a new era for Korean women’s football.

Renewed women’s football, unchanged passion

Those who have been keeping up with the 2025 WK League have probably already seen the KWFF’s new slogan, New game, same passion (새로운 여자축구, 변함없는 열정 lit. New women’s football, unchanged passion). At surface level it seems like a nice enough sentiment, except that in recent years it has seemed as if even the KWFF’s passion for women’s football is lacking, and a change might be quite nice, actually. Thankfully, we are now seeing signs that “New game, same passion” is more than just a platitude.

The new president

Oh Gyu-sang, KWFF president since 2009, had been re-elected for another term when he died following an illness in December 2024. After his death, Yang Myung-seok was elected as new president in February this year. During his four-year term, he has pledged to grow the WK League, increasing the budget and expanding broadcasting rights, as well as to improve stadium facilities, operate training programmes for female coaches and referees, and increase participation in international competitions.

Yang was a businessman before becoming a football administrator. He became interested in women’s football around ten years ago, in particular supporting the development of youth football. Following his election as KWFF president he restated the need to invest in girls’ football in order to build a sustainable future for women’s football in Korea.

Internal restructuring

According to the KWFF’s website, the Federation itself has been reorganised, with the solitary position of secretary-general being abolished to make way for a new team-based structure, comprising an operations team and a support team. The subcommittee, which had previously existed only in name, will become an active committee made up of experienced personnel who will examine new ideas for the improved operation of the Federation.

Improved website and social media presence

A key element of the KWFF’s overhaul is its commitment to improving communication with fans through its website and social media. The website has been renewed, and at first glance looks much more fit-for-purpose than its previous iteration, although it is still under construction. Phase 1 of the new website is set to be completed in early June, with further updates coming during the summer. Hopefully these updates include the reinstatement of an archive of past competitions, updates and news, all of which were previously available, but appear to be missing at the moment.

The KWFF has also pledged to improve its social media presence with a three-pronged approach. First, fans will be able to see match photos and other match-related content in real time through the KWFF’s social media channels. Secondly, the KWFF will post news and updates from not only the WK League but also the South Korean national team and Korean footballers overseas. Finally, the KWFF promises to provide timely and reliable information on match schedules, player news, and events. This is a positive step for existing fans as well as for would-be fans, for example K League fans who are interested in the women’s game but struggle to find consistent and reliable updates. These pledges are already evident on the KWFF’s Facebook and Instagram, with up-to-date WK League results and schedules, updates on Korea’s national youth teams, and even some fun Children’s Day content — perfect for boosting engagement after the recent drought of posts. It’s a promising sign that the KWFF is moving in the right direction.

What does it all mean?

In short, it feels like a fresh start. It’s a shame some of these changes, even just the new-look website and social media, couldn’t be implemented at the start of the 2025 WK League season, but better late than never. Fans and followers of women’s football in Korea are accustomed to digging through fan forums and blogs to find updates about their favourite teams and players, but the extra effort is a hard sell to the uninitiated. A website that looks like it was designed this century and a slicker, more professional social media presence go a long way in convincing new fans that the WK League is real, and can’t hurt them.

It’s also reassuring to hear a commitment to the long-term development and expansion of the league. Nobody is more passionate than WK League fans who have been showing up for their respective teams through thick and thin for years, but with constant rumours swirling about the uncertain future of certain teams, and of women’s football in Korea more generally, it’s nice to feel optimistic for once. Of course, promises and pledges are meaningless without real change and financial backing, but the internal restructuring of the KWFF gives us reason to be hopeful. At the very least, they’re trying something. If the WK League can begin to draw bigger crowds through better marketing and outreach, the rest will surely (if slowly) follow. For the time being, all fans can do is keep showing up.