K League 1's Gimcheon Expresses Regret After Citizen Club Conversion Fails, Demanding Accountability

K League 1 club Gimcheon Sangmu has voiced deep regret, stating that "someone must be held accountable" following the final collapse of plans to convert into a citizen-owned professional football club.

In an official statement released today (29th), the Gimcheon club argued, "The transition to a citizen club was a promise made by Gimcheon City to the South Korean professional football community, but it was not kept," adding, "The club's efforts and the ardent wishes of citizens and football fans have gone up in smoke."

Gimcheon Mayor Bae Nak-ho held a press conference at Gimcheon City Hall and announced, "We have decided not to pursue the transition of Gimcheon Sangmu into a citizen professional football club."

The city concluded that pushing ahead with a citizen-run club is currently difficult given Gimcheon City's circumstances, after comprehensively assessing factors such as public acceptance, financial soundness, sustainability, and ripple effects.

In response, the club explained, "Gimcheon City promised to make active efforts to realize the transition to a citizen club, which is the desire of many Gimcheon citizens. Considering special circumstances, the hometown agreement was extended until December 31, 2026." They added, "The city even gave assurances that a transition would be possible with support from Gyeongsangbuk-do, but that promise was broken."

The club continued, "We take heavily the sense of emptiness and regret that fans will feel over this unkept promise," and emphasized, "Someone must definitely take responsibility for the broken promise."

Meanwhile, with the failure of Gimcheon Sangmu's transition to a citizen club, finding a new home has become an urgent priority for the K League and the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps.

As the hometown agreement with Gimcheon expires this year, Sangmu is inevitably faced with relocating its home base next year, and its relegation to K League 2 has been confirmed.

(Photo courtesy of Korea Professional Football League, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.