News Roundup: W-Project, AWCL group draw, Ji Soyun makes first appearance for Birmingham, Gangjin WFC

A quick roundup of some recent stories in Korean women’s football.

KWFF unveils ‘W-Project’ 10 year development plan for women’s football

At the start of September, the Korea Women’s Football Federation unveiled its ‘W-Project’, a development plan that aims to grow women’s football in Korea by 100% over the next ten years. The project’s stated goals include the expansion and professionalisation of the WK League, the establishment of the WU (Women’s Universities) League and a Women’s Korea Cup, as well as the development of grassroots football, youth football, and opportunities for women involved in football. The plan is centred around five major areas for improvement, which are: improving the foundations of women’s football; structural innovation; strengthening women’s leadership; digital marketing; and strengthening relationships between clubs and their local communities.

AWCL group draw held in Kuala Lumpur

The group draw for the 2025-2026 AFC Women’s Champions League was held last week in Kuala Lumpur. 2024 WK League champions Suwon FC were drawn in Group C, where they will face tough competition from Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza, DPR Korea’s Naegohyang WFC, and Myanmar’s ISPE WFC. Group C’s matches will be held in Myanmar from 9-15 November. First and second-placed teams from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter finals next year. Group A and Group B matches will take place in Vietnam and China respectively.

Jeonnam’s Gangjin County preparing to join WK League

Gangjin County, in South Jeolla Province (Jeonnam) appear to be making preparations to join the WK League as Gangjin WFC. According to the website of the county’s sports council, an agreement signing ceremony was held to formally establish the team on 3rd September. County head Kang Jinwon appeared to confirm the club’s foundation via his Instagram page, but the post was later deleted. The Gangjin sports council is openly advertising for a head coach to lead Gangjin WFC, with the recruitment announcement confirming the county’s intentions for the team to join the WK League, although it remains to be seen whether they are planning to join as soon as next season. Some fans had speculated that existing WK League team Changnyeong WFC may relocate to Gangjin, as their existing agreement with Changnyeong County expires at the end of this year. However, Changnyeong County will have priority in any ongoing negotiations with the existing club, and it appears that Gangjin are pushing ahead with their own separate venture. Gangjin could become Jeonnam’s first WK League team, and the first team to represent the southwestern region of Korea in the competition since KSPO moved from Jeonbuk to Hwacheon in 2015.

Gangjin County are not complete newcomers to women’s football — training facilities in the area have often been used by Korea’s national team and national youth teams, and local club Chungja FC (also operated by the county’s sports council) has operated an amateur women’s team since 2020, who have represented Jeonnam at national sports competitions. With the county having hosted various youth tournaments (for both boys and girls) there seems to be plenty of enthusiasm for football in the area, which could bode well for a team hoping to make a start in the WK League. The KWFF has made a commitment to expanding the league to ten teams by 2035 — it looks like Gangjin could be the next destination for WK fans following their teams around the country.

Ji Soyun makes first appearance for Bimingham City in England’s WSL 2

Ji Soyun made her debut for Birmingham City this weekend after joining the club in a surprise deadline day short-term loan deal from Seattle Reign. The former Chelsea star returned to England for the first time since 2022 earlier this month, joining Korea teammate Lee Geummin at Birmingham City as the side makes a bid for promotion to the WSL. Ji came on as a substitute in the second half as Birmingham took on Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light yesterday, in a game that finished as a 1-1 draw. Korea’s most-capped international didn’t get her name on the scoresheet this time out, although she did come pretty close, but she was instrumental in creating opportunities for Birmingham and we can surely expect to see some Ji goals and assists in the coming months. Some Reign fans were surprised to see Ji go as the team makes a push for the 2025 NWSL playoffs, but the arrival of midfielder Mikayla Cluff from Utah Royals the following day likely gave them some reassurance. Ji is contracted with Seattle Reign until the end of 2025, and the loan deal will see her stay at Birmingham for this period.

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