This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at Jeju Island’s only professional sports team. The Jeju United Football Club, which in 2010 went to the K-League Classic finals, has been performing well recently at home and away.
Jeju Island’s only professional sports team turns 10 this year. And it’s more popular and well-attended than ever.

United’s genesis actually harkens back to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In the run up to this massive sporting event, 10 stadiums were built around Korea, with Seogwipo being the site of Jeju World Cup Stadium.

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Stadium modeled after volcanic cones

The stadium’s remarkable design is modeled after a Jeju oreum, or volcanic cone, and today it seats just over 35,000 people.

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2006: Bucheon SK becomes Jeju United

In 2006 the stadium became home to its first football club, when the former Bucheon SK moved to Jeju and renamed itself Jeju United Football Club. Since then, players and fans have been donning the color orange -- a nod to the Jeju mandarin orange.

Though a relatively new organization, United has had some great results. 2010, in particular, saw the team soar in the standings -- under the sharp leadership of coach Park Kyung-hoon (박경훈). The team even reached the season final against FC Seoul, though sadly they couldn’t overcome the powerhouse from the capital.

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Todd Thacker

United’s next home game is this Saturday, June 18, when it takes on North Gyeongsang’s Pohang Steelers. For more information on the team’s latest schedule and standings in the K-League Classic, refer to their website jeju-utd.com.

Todd Thacker KCTV