The 2021 K3 League was the second season of the

K3 League The K3 League is the third tier of South Korean football league system, which was created from the rebranding of the Korea National League (2003–2019) and the former K3 League (2007–2019) into K3 League and K4 League in 2020. 16 teams are ...

as a semi-professional league and the third tier of

South Korean football league system The South Korean football league system contains two professional leagues, two semi-professional leagues, and various amateur leagues for Korean football clubs. The highest level of football in South Korea is the K League 1, which was founded in 1 ...

Gimhae FC Gimhae FC is a South Korean football club based in the city of Gimhae. It was founded in 2007, and started competing in the National League until 2019. In 2020, the team started competing in the K3 League after 2019 season the final competing in t ...

are the defending champions.

Competition format

15 teams will compete in the 2021 season. Each team will play 28 games this season. The 15th team will be relegated to

K4 League The K4 League is the fourth tier of the South Korean football league system. After 2019, the semi-professional Korea National League and the former amateur K3 League were rebranded into the current K3 League and K4 League. Competition format T ...

, and the relegation/promotion playoff will be held between 14th team of K3 league and 3rd team of K4 league.

Promotion and relegation

Teams relegated to the

2021 K4 League The 2021 K4 League is the second season of the K4 League as a semi-professional league and the fourth tier of South Korean football league system. Paju Citizen are the defending champions and was promoted together with Ulsan Citizen (the runner- ...

* Chuncheon Citizen * Jeonju Citizen Teams promoted from the

2020 K4 League The 2020 K4 League is the first season of the K4 League as a semi-professional league and the fourth tier of South Korean football league system. After the 2019 season, the former K3 League Basic went defunct and was rebranded into the K4 League. ...

* Paju Citizen * Ulsan Citizen Name Changes * Gimpo Citizen FC renamed to

Gimpo FC Gimpo FC ( ko, 김포 FC), formerly Gimpo Citizen FC, is a South Korean football club based in the city of Gimpo. Since 2022, they are playing in the K League 2, the second tier of football in South Korea. History Gimpo Citizen FC (2013–202 ...

* Mokpo City FC renamed to

FC Mokpo FC Mokpo ( ko, FC 목포) is a South Korean association football club based in Mokpo, South Jeolla. Since the 2010 season, Mokpo have played in the K3 League The K3 League is the third tier of South Korean football league system, which was c ...

Teams Dissolved from

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...

Season * Gyeongju Citizen

Teams

Foreign players

League table

Results

Matches 1-28 (Rounds 1-30)

Championship play-off

Championship Play-off start at 17 November to Final at 27 November 2021. If scores are tied after regular time, the higher placed team advances to the next phase.

1R

'' Mokpo City advances as a higher ranked team in the regular season.''

2R

Final

1st; 2nd; Gimpo FC won 2021 K3 League and champion by agg. 3-2.

Promotion–relegation play-off

The K3-K4 League Promotion–relegation play-offs were cancelled as

announced that Gimpo FC will be changed to a professional football club and will participate in 2022 K League 2 as a professional football club. So Yangju Citizen (14th team) has remained at 2022 K3 League and Dangjin Citizen (winner of promotion play-off in K4 League) was promoted to 2022 K3 League.

Winner

References

{{2021 in South Korean football K3 League seasons 2021 in South Korean football