Minister Hwee-young Choi Visits K League 1 Opening, Discusses Strategies for Professional Football Development

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-young Choi visited the opening match of the 2026 Hana Bank K League 1 to encourage the players and listen to on-site feedback for the development of professional football.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that on the 28th, Minister Choi visited Incheon Football Stadium, where the opening match of the K League 1 between Incheon United FC and FC Seoul was held, to encourage the teams and to hold a meeting with professional football officials.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-Young Choi visited the opening match of the 2026 K League 1 between Incheon United FC and FC Seoul held at Incheon Football Stadium on the 28th to encourage the players. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Before watching the match, Minister Choi met with the vice president of the Korea Professional Football League, the owner and CEO of Incheon United FC, and the CEO of FC Seoul, among others, to discuss various current issues related to the development of the K League, including ways to improve the fan-centered stadium environment and to foster both professional and youth players.

On this occasion, Minister Choi emphasized that, in line with the purpose of the amendment to the National Sports Promotion Act-which prohibits the unauthorized purchase and sale of sports tickets-he asked for the K League's active participation in eradicating ticket scalping and fostering a fair spectator culture. The amendment came into effect on August 28 of last year.

Minister Hwee-young Choi stated, "Professional football has grown thanks to the efforts of the players on the field, the fans who come to the stadium, and the dedication of club and league officials working behind the scenes. As professional football is a high value-added industry that connects sports, leisure culture, and tourism, I will maintain close communication with the field to provide institutional and policy support for the continued growth of the K League."

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