WK League News

Choi Dakyung and Lee Jeongmin have both formally ended their military service and left Mungyeong Sangmu, as of 30th June 2025. Born just days apart, the 24-year-old pair previously played together at Uiduk University before joining Mungyeong in 2021.

Rumours about Lee’s discharge circulated after the end of the 2024 season, with one source suggesting one of the top WK League teams had expressed interest in the winger, who featured in Korea’s national squad under former manager Colin Bell. However, when Lee posted photos online from Sangmu winter pre-season training, fans speculated that she may go on to complete five years’ service with the military team. As it turns out, that wasn’t the case either. In an Instagram post two days ago, Lee expressed gratitude for all who have supported and played alongside her during her four years and four months of service, closing a chapter as “Sgt. Lee Jeongmin” and looking ahead to her future as “Lee Jeongmin, footballer”.

Standing next to Lee in the video and photographs taken on the day of their formal discharge from the military is striker Choi, who started 2025 in style, making her debut for South Korea and scoring her first international goal at the Pink Ladies Cup in the U.A.E. in February. In the league, Choi has been a regular starter for Mungyeong, scoring two goals for them in the first half of this season.

With the pair now officially released from Sangmu, fans are eagerly awaiting news of where Lee and Choi will go next. On the fringes of the national squad and with years of WK League experience, either one of them should be an attractive prospect for a number of teams in the league. In particular, a struggling Suwon FC could benefit from another attacking option as they look ahead to the 2025/26 AFC Women’s Champions League, especially following the mid-season departure of Meghan Root.

Low-scoring Incheon Hyundai, currently sitting in fourth position in the table (with a couple of matches in hand) have already bolstered their attack this summer with the return of Choe Yuri. Below them in the table are Sejong Sportstoto, whose stated aim this season was to finish in the playoff positions. Succeeding in this aim looks increasingly unlikely for Sejong, who have only scored a total of fifteen goals so far this season — a total that will likely soon be exceeded by some individuals at other clubs. Sejong have a lot of options in defence and one of the best goalkeepers in the league, but another forward could be useful to their squad, not only for the remainder of this season but also looking ahead to a stronger league campaign next year.