WK League News

Sangmu, the Athletic Corps of the Republic of Korea Army, last week announced that two new recruits will join its women’s football team, WK League side Mungyeong Sangmu. Lee Chae-eun and Hwang Hyemin are expected to report for duty at the start of September, and will start playing for the club after completing basic military training.

Mungyeong is the only WK League club that does not take part in the annual new players’ draft, following a 2016 change in league recruitment rules prompted by South Korea international Choe Yuri’s refusal to join the army team. Since then, Sangmu’s recruitment has been handled separately, with only willing applicants considered. The two successful applicants in this round of recruitment are Lee Chae-eun and Hwang Hyemin.

After graduating from girls’ football powerhouse Pohang Girls Electronic High School, centre-back Lee played for Ulsan College for three years, picking up the Best Defender award at the 2023 Fall KWFF Championship as her side finished as runners-up. She then transferred to Uiduk University, where she often wore the captain’s armband as part of a highly successful cohort that was named the best college team at the 2024 KWFF Awards.

Lee joined Sejong Sportstoto at the start of 2025, but with competition in her position from veteran players including club captain and vice-captain Kim Doyeon and Shin Damyoung, Lee spent the season on the bench before being released at the end of her one-year contract.

25-year-old midfielder Hwang, on the other hand, made her league debut for Changnyeong WFC in May of last year, having been selected by the club in the additional rounds of the 2025 WK League draft. Hwang, who previously played for South Korea at U-14 and U-17 level, was not given a new contract as phoenix club Gangjin Swans arose from the ashes the former Changnyeong, but her WK League career will now continue with Sangmu.

Both players are required to report for basic training on 2nd September.