South Korea lifts ban on foreign goalkeepers in K League after 26 years

Ulsan HD's Jo Hyeon-woo blocks a shot during the Club World Cup match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando on June 17, 2025. Photo by AP

Only Korean goalkeepers have been allowed to play in the K League - the oldest professional domestic league in Asia - since 1999. The rule was introduced in a bid to protect homegrown talent when there were only 10 professional clubs.

The K League announced after a board meeting in Seoul this week that because there are now 26 professional clubs in the top two tiers of competition, there is enough room for international goalkeepers.

"The increase in the number of clubs means that there are enough opportunities for domestic goalkeepers to play even if foreign goalkeepers are allowed," the board said in a statement.

"We consider the fact that with foreign player registrations restricted, the salary increase rate of domestic goalkeepers has increased disproportionately to outfield players."

There were reported concerns, due to the increased size of modern rosters which contain three or four goalkeepers, that there is a shortage of quality keepers in the country.

The move will put the K League in line with other major Asian leagues in Japan, Saudi Arabia and China.