The Busan Transportation Corporation football team captured the inaugural K3-K4 Championship, defeating FC Pocheon 1-0 in the final match held at Pocheon Stadium. The tournament, newly launched by the national governing body, brings together clubs from the third and fourth tiers of South Korean football to crown a single integrated champion.
Tournament Structure and Promotion Pathways
The newly established K3-K4 Championship serves a critical role in the broader restructuring of South Korean domestic football. According to the Korea Football Association, the launch of the tournament aligns with the implementation of a promotion and relegation system between K League 2 and the K3 League, scheduled to begin in the 2026 season. Under this updated framework, the winner of the K3 League earns the opportunity to contest a promotion-relegation playoff against the bottom-ranked side in K League 2, provided the club successfully acquires the requisite K League 2 club license.
Busan Transportation Corporation Pathway to the Title
Busan Transportation Corporation navigated the newly minted tournament without conceding a single goal prior to the championship match, maintaining that defensive resilience through the final whistle against FC Pocheon, as reported by club officials. Beyond their cup success, the side finished the regular K3 League campaign in fourth place. Their competitive run also featured a notable 2-1 victory over K League 2 side Suwon Samsung Bluewings during the second round of the Korea Cup.
Leadership Reaction and Future Outlook
Busan Transportation Corporation chairman Lee Byung-jin credited the squad’s collective discipline for the historic milestone. “The players and coaching staff did their absolute best until the final whistle, which allowed us to secure the historic title of the inaugural K3-K4 Championship,” Lee said, according to club statements.