Military club Gimcheon Sangmu take top spot on K League table

Defending champions Ulsan HD remained the only defeated team in the league after their 2-2 draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday but slipped down to third place on the 12-team table

Ulsan HD forward Kim Ji-hyun, center, controls the ball during a K League 1 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla in a photo shared on Ulsan's official Instagram account on Sunday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

K League 1 defending champions Ulsan HD remained undefeated after a 2-2 draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday but slipped down to third place on the 12-team table, ceding the top spot to newly-promoted Gimcheon Sangmu.

Eight teams were back in action on Saturday after nearly two weeks of a FIFA international break during which some K League players joined the Korean national team for two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Thailand. Korea drew 1-1 in the first game on March 21 and won 3-0 in the second match on March 26.

Despite the absence of regular striker pick Joo Min-kyu in the starting XI, Ulsan went in front with a goal from Lee Dong-gyeong in the 21st minute.

Forward Kim Ji-hyun extended the lead in the 39th minute, but Jeonbuk’s Lee Dong-jun put one back in stoppage time to end the first half 2-1.

Jeonbuk found multiple chances in the second half and tied things up with Moon Seon-min finding the back of the net in the 70th minute, which turned out to be the last goal of the match.

The 2-2 draw was Jeonbuk's third draw in the league this season. They have yet to record a single win with three draws and one loss so far. With only three points under their belt, Jeonbuk sit in 11th place on the 12-team table as of Monday.

Ulsan ceded the top spot to Gimcheon after Saturday’s draw, though they are still the only undefeated team in the league with two wins and two draws.

Newly-promoted Gimcheon displayed a formidable attack against Suwon FC in Suwon, Gyeonggi, ending the game 4-1. Forward Lee Jung-min scored a double, and Kim Hyeon-ung and Yu Kang-hyun recorded one goal apiece.

Gimcheon Sangmu forward Lee Jung-min, right, celebrates with Kim Bong-soo during a K League 1 match against Suwon FC at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi in a photo shared on Suwon FC's official Instagram on Saturday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Earning as many points as possible in the early days of the 2024 season will be ideal for the military club, as the team will go through changes in the second half of the campaign when some players, like Lee, will depart as they are set to finish their military service in July.

Elsewhere, the Pohang Steelers recorded a 2-0 win against Jeju United in Jeju and climbed up to second place. The Steelers' solid run in the league so far — having recorded three wins and one loss — comes despite the multiple changes made to their squad from last year.

After managing a league runner-up finish last year and winning the 2023 Korean FA Cup, now called the Korean Cup, the team brought in new manager Park Tae-ha and new signees who seem to have found quickly found their rhythm.

Over in Incheon, Incheon United beat Daejeon Hana Citizen 2-0, which pushed Daejeon all the way down to the bottom of the table.

Alongside Jeonbuk and Gangwon, Daejeon have yet to secure a win this season with two draws and two losses so far.

Four other teams played on Sunday, with Gangwon drawing 1-1 with FC Seoul at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon, Gangwon.

FC Seoul star Jesse Lingard, who made a surprising move to the capital side in February, was absent in the game due to injury, but there was still a celebrity in the stadium. K-pop star V of BTS was there, watching the match with other soldiers.

V, who joined the army in December last year, is stationed at the second division in Chuncheon, Gangwon.

V of BTS watches a K League 1 match between Gangwon FC and FC Seoul at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon, Gangwon on Sunday. [YONHAP]

V was able to attend the game possibly because of a contract that Gangwon has with the second division under which the club provides tickets for those who wish to watch Gangwon games.

Daegu FC, meanwhile, beat Gwangju FC 2-1 in Gwangju and secured their first of the season.

All 12 K League teams do not have much time until they go back in action, as there will be mid-week fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Reigning champions Ulsan will travel north to face Daejeon on Tuesday evening, the same time the Steelers play Suwon in Pohang, North Gyeongsang.

FC Seoul will play league leaders Gimcheon in the capital the next day, while Gangwon face Daegu at home.

Jeonbuk will fly down south to face Jeju, and Gwangju will face Incheon at home.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]