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By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- FC Seoul captured their first South Korean football title in 10 years Saturday.
FC Seoul played Gangwon FC to a 1-1 draw in their K League 1 match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in the capital city and improved to 67 points with five matches to play on 20 wins, seven draws and six losses.
FC Seoul players and coaches celebrate with their K League 1 championship banner after a 1-1 draw against Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
Ulsan HD FC remained in second place with 51 points following their 2-2 draw with Pohang Steelers on Saturday and will not be able to catch FC Seoul the rest of the season.
Teams were split into two tiers after Saturday's matches -- the top six in Final A and the bottom six in Final B. They will then play five more matches within their own group to close out the season.
FC Seoul became just the third team to clinch the K League 1 title with five or more matches left on the season under the current system, joining the 2018 and 2025 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Moon Seon-min of FC Seoul (2nd from L) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Gangwon FC during the clubs' K League 1 match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
After a goalless first half, Moon Seon-min put FC Seoul on the board in the 58th minute. Though Gangwon drew level seven minutes later on Kang Jun-hyuk's goal, FC Seoul still clinched their title with the draw as Ulsan, needing a combination of their win and a FC Seoul loss or draw, settled for a draw themselves against Pohang.
FC Seoul players toss their head coach Kim Gi-dong in the air to celebrate their K League 1 title following a 1-1 draw against Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
This is FC Seoul's seventh title in franchise history, counting their days as Anyang LG Cheetahs, and their first since 2016.
From 2017 to 2025, only Jeonbuk (six) and Ulsan (three) won K League 1 titles until FC Seoul ended that streak Saturday.
FC Seoul head coach Kim Gi-dong earned his first career K League 1 trophy in his third season in charge. He had previously coached Pohang Steelers.
Kim, who was booed by FC Seoul supporters last season and even early this season, molded the club into the league's most productive offense and stingiest defense.
Through 33 matches, FC Seoul have scored the most goals in the K League 1 with 61 and have conceded the fewest with 29.
Leading the attack has been Polish striker Patryk Klimala, who has netted a team-best 16 goals in 30 contests.
Moon Seon-min of FC Seoul (C) scores against Gangwon FC during the clubs' K League 1 match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
He joined FC Seoul in 2025 but was limited to just four matches due to injury. This year, the fully healthy striker is contending for the league's scoring title.
Klimala is tied with Yago Cariello of Ulsan at 16 goals apiece, but the latter is the leader because he has played fewer matches with 26.
Winger Jeong Seung-won emerged as a key player this year. He has scored eight goals and contributed seven assists -- with all eight goals coming in July and August. He was voted the Player of the Month for those two months, as he helped FC Seoul pull away from the pack in the dog days of summer.
Goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun has established himself as a top-level custodian this year. He is leading the K League 1 in save percentage at 73.6 percent and flashed the leather by denying Kim Dae-won on a penalty during Saturday's match. Gu is also tied for second with 13 clean sheets.
FC Seoul's supporters cheer on their K League 1 club with a balloon in the shape of the league championship trophy at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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