Here at Muhak Middle School we celebrate a unique slice of Korean history. This is where the seeds of modern women’s football in Korea were sown. Let’s step back in time to a pivotal moment.
The year is 1949. Korea is still recovering from the aftermath of World War II. The idea of women participating in sports is often met with skepticism. Yet, here at Muhak Middle School, a spark of change is about to ignite.
Kim Hwa-jip, a teacher at Seoul Central Girls’ Middle School, founded the first girls’ football team in Korea in 1946. Her vision challenged societal norms. Her dedication paved the way for women’s involvement in the sport.
On June 28, 1949, Seoul Stadium hosted a groundbreaking event. It was the 2nd National Women’s Sports Festival. Three girls’ middle school teams participated including Muhak. The others were Myungsung and Seoul Central. Daegu Girls’ High School also joined.
Imagine the excitement. The newspaper reported a large crowd gathered to see Muhak play Myungsung in the final. Muhak emerged victorious with a score of 2-1. A rule was even added that day. It stated that handling the ball to block chest shots was not a foul.
The popularity of women’s football soared. This led to the establishment of the Korea Women’s Football Federation in October 1949. The first National Women’s Football Tournament was announced.
Teams paid a 1000 won entry fee. The tournament was held at Seoul Stadium from November 10th-11th. Despite this promising start, the Korean War broke out in 1950. This unfortunately impeded the development of women’s football.
However, the spirit of those early pioneers never faded. Post-war South Korea saw a revival. Women and girls continued to play in schools and clubs. Jeonju W.F.C. was established in March 1972. They played against Seoul W.F.C. in South Korea’s first official women’s football match in 1973.
A crowd of 10,000 watched Jeonju beat Seoul 3-0. After the match, Seoul Women’s Football Club received over one hundred phone calls. Women wanted to join the team.
In February 1974, the Korea Women’s Football Federation was officially launched. In June of the same year, the federation hosted the first official National Women’s Football Tournament. Jeonbuk Women claimed the title. They secured a 1-0 victory over Busan Muhak in the final.
Today, Muhak Middle School stands as a silent witness to these early struggles and triumphs. It reminds us of the dedication of those who paved the way for women’s football in South Korea. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of female athletes. The WK League is now the highest tier of women’s football in South Korea.