The pre-season winter transfer window opened between 1 January and 24 March 2025, and the summer transfer window opened between 20 June and 31 July 2025.[citation needed]
Prior to the 2025 season, the size of each matchday squad increased from 18 to 20 players, following the rule of the K League. Among them, three or more players had to be under-23 Koreans, with one included in the starting line-up. The AFC player quota was removed, and participating teams could include four foreign players of any nationality.[1]
The 2025 season consisted of 33 rounds with each team playing 30 matches.[2][3] The champions were directly promoted to the K3 League, and the runners-up qualified for the promotion play-off where they played the lowest-ranked team of the 2025 K3 League.[4]
Teams
Team changes
Jeonju Citizen suspended their participation due to financial issues.[5]Seoul Nowon United also suspended their participation after failing to extend the contract with Nowon Madeul Stadium. The two teams eventually decided to be disbanded.[6]
FC Sejong were forced out of the K4 League due to issues about their management. They moved to Malaysia with renamed Seoul Phoenix, and were replaced by Sejong SA.[7]
Namyangju FC started the season well, going 9 matches undefeated and earning 6 wins from those 9 matches. Pyeongchang United FC too started well, going undefeated for the first 8 matches. Newcomers Gijang United FC had a respectable start with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses, while fellow newcomers Sejong SA FC had to wait 9 before earning their first victory.
By mid-season, the league had taken shape. Namyangju was still leading the way, with Dangjin close behind in the second automatic promotion spot. Jinju and Pyeonchang United were close, holding strong in the playoff position. League newcomers Gijang United FC and Sejong SA FC had found their feet and were starting to challenge for mid-table positions. Although not technically newcomers, Yeoncheon FC were similarly finding their feet. Seoul Jungnang FC were still struggling with 12 losses from their first 17 matches. Their draw against Gijang and win against Pyeongtaek Citizen FC were forfeit when it was discovered that they had fielded an ineligible player.
As the end of the season grew closer, it seemed clear that the fight would be mainly between Namyangju and Dangjin, with Pyeongchang United right on their heels. However, Gijang's form improved so much that they managed won 6 matches straight, recorded a draw and another two wins. Going into the final two rounds, 5 teams were mathematically still able to win the league.
Despite Namyangju entering the final third of the season as the clear favourites, they finished the season with 4 losses in a row, allowing Dangjin to overtake them on goal difference and claim the league title along with automatic promotion.
During the season, two K3 League teams stated their intention to join the professional K League 2, prompting changes in the K3/K4 promotion relegation rules. Under the new rules, only one team would gain automatic promotion to the K3 League, and the second placed team would enter a playoff against the last team in K3 League. [15]
Namyangju went on to lose the promotion-relegation play-off 0-1 against FC Mokpo[16]
12Lee, Hyeong-ho (20 February 2025). 2025 K4리그 22일 개막…11개 팀 9개월간 경쟁[2025 K4 League will open on the 22nd... 11 teams will compete for 9 months] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
↑Korea Football Association [@thekfa_k3k4league]; (5 February 2025). 2025 K4리그 일정표[2025 K4 League schedule] (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025– via Instagram.
↑Ko, Sung-hwan (27 February 2025). '15개팀 참가' 2025 K3리그, 3월 1일 개막...8개월 대장정 막 올린다[With 15 participating teams, the 2025 K3 League will begin its 8-month odyssey on 1 March]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 28 February 2025.
↑Park, Geon-do (8 September 2025). K3·K4리그 승강제 방식 바뀌었다... 2025시즌부터 적용[The promotion and relegation systems between K3 and K4 Leagues was changed... it will be applied since the 2025 season] (in Korean). Starnews Korea. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
↑Lee, Yu-bin (15 January 2025). '2024 K4리그 득점왕+도움왕' 배출한 서울노원 UTD, 해체 선언[Seoul Nowon United, which generated 'top goalscorer and top assist provider of the 2024 K4 League', announced their disbandment]. Korea Entertainment and Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
↑Kim, Jung-gyu (12 November 2024). 세종SA축구단 창단, 내년부터 K4리그 참가한다[Sejong SA FC were founded, and will participate at K4 League next year]. Voices of Sejong (in Korean). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
↑Kim, Ga-eul (21 January 2025). 대구FC B팀 사령탑으로 새 도전, 박원재 감독 "선수들 열심히 해줘 감사…잘 성장시키겠다"[Park Won-jae's new challenge as Daegu FC B head coach: "I'm grateful for the players who work hard... I must help them to develop well"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 5 February 2025.
↑Im, Soon-taek (23 February 2025). 기장군민축구단 2025 K4리그 첫 경기서 0-1로 패배[Gijang United FC lost 1–0 in their first match at the 2025 K4 League]. Herald Business (in Korean). Retrieved 26 February 2025.
↑Bak, Geon-do (8 September 2025). "K3·K4리그 승강제 방식 바뀌었다... 2025시즌부터 적용 [공식발표]"[The K3 and K4 league promotion and relegation system has changed... Effective from 2025 season]. Star News. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
↑Im, Byeong-seong (25 November 2025). "FC목포, K3리그 잔류 확정! 남양주 꺾고 '생존 드라마' 완성"[FC Mokpo conformed to stay in K3 League]. Korean Sports Communication. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
↑The promotion relegation structure was changed for the 2025 season due to Hwaseong FC being promoted to K League 2.
↑Yoon, Jin-man (29 May 2025). ""부정선수 투입은 몰수패다" K4리그 중랑 미승인 선수 논란에 관한 협회의 판단"[ntroducing an illegal player is a forfeiture" The association's decision on the controversy over the unapproved player in K4 League Jungrang] (in Korean). Sports Joseon. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
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