Yongin City announced Thursday that Yongin FC, the city's civic football club, has been selected as a first-round candidate for the K League 2 "Friendly Club Award" hosted by the Korea Professional Football League, marking its bid for a first-ever win.
The club opened Yongin's first franchise professional football era when it officially launched in January 2026 and joined K League 2 simultaneously. It has demonstrated formidable strength by recruiting players with national team experience, including Suk Hyun-jun, Kim Min-woo and Lim Chae-min.
The Korea Professional Football League evaluates community engagement activities with spectators and citizens across its 17 member clubs and presents awards four times a year to recognize outstanding clubs that have contributed to the vitalization of the K League.
This year's first-round candidates include six clubs: Yongin FC, Gyeongnam FC, Seoul E-Land, Seongnam FC, Suwon Samsung and Ansan Greeners.
Yongin FC has carried out activities together with citizens, including operating futsal tournaments for office workers, women and youth, and running citizen-participation events linked to home games.
The club also received high marks for expanding various community sports programs, such as futsal tournament clinics, and family-oriented participation events, allowing citizens to naturally engage with football and take part in matches.
The final award winner will be selected through votes by judges, the press corps and fans. Citizens wishing to support Yongin FC's bid for its first Friendly Club Award can vote on the official K League application "KICK" from the 26th to the 28th.
Yongin FC will hold a verification event on its official Instagram from the 26th to the 29th for citizens who participate in the vote. Participants will be entered into a drawing to win prizes including jerseys autographed by the entire Yongin FC squad and signed footballs.
"Yongin FC was selected as a first-round candidate for the Friendly Club Award thanks to the interest and support of citizens," a Yongin City official said. "It is highly unusual and a great honor for the club to be nominated in its inaugural year, and we will continue to work harder so that the club can grow as one that breathes together with citizens and serves them."
