Wikipedia - Korean FA Cup

The Korea Cup (Korean: 코리아컵), formerly the Korean FA Cup, is a national football cup knockout competition of South Korea, held annually by the Korea Football Association (KFA). Before the competition was established in 1996, two similar tournaments named All Joseon Football Tournament (1921–1940) and Korean National Football Championship (1946–2000) were played. It was renamed Korea Cup in 2024, with the winners qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite (if they finish top four in the K League 1) or the AFC Champions League Two (if they finish outside the top four in the K League 1).

History

The All Joseon Football Tournament was founded by the Joseon Sports Council in 1921, during Japanese rule in Korea. Youth, student and adult football clubs from various provinces participated. After 1934, it became a part of the Korean National Sports Festival, which was the championship for various sports games and matched Koreans against other sports championships operated by Japanese who lived in Korea. The Joseon Sports Council was disbanded in 1937, due to the Japanese government's oppression, and the Joseon Football Association (currently KFA) succeeded it after 1938, but was cancelled after 1940 for the same reason during World War II.

After the liberation of Korea, the KFA founded the National Football Championship and the President's Cup, entered by many semi-professional clubs and amateur clubs from all over South Korea. They opened in spring and late autumn each.

The National Football Championship declined after the founding of the K League, because professional clubs and famous players didn't take part in it. There were several efforts to make professional clubs join the tournament, and it became so successful that many top-rank clubs joined the championship, renamed "FA Cup", during 1988 and 1989 season. However, it soon returned to a semi-professional tournament in 1990, because of discord between the KFA and professional clubs. The current FA Cup separated from the National Championship in 1996, and two competitions merged again since 2001. The President's Cup was also abolished in 2010.

The South Korea Cup is a prestigious annual soccer tournament held in South Korea, bringing together top clubs from across the nation to compete for national glory. Established to showcase the best of Korean football talent, the tournament features intense matches, passionate fans, and a rich history of memorable moments. Organized by the Korea Football Association, the South Korea Cup serves as a key competition in the country's football calendar, offering teams an opportunity to demonstrate their skill, earn national recognition, and vie for a coveted trophy. With a vibrant atmosphere and a growing following, the South Korea Cup continues to elevate the sport's popularity and foster competitive excellence within Korean football.