# Gimcheon Sangmu football club ownership dispute

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gimcheon-sangmu-football-club-ownership-dispute
> Updated: 2026-10-12T02:12:09.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Gimcheon City Council has expressed official opposition to a proposal to convert the Gimcheon Sangmu Professional Football Club into a citizen-owned club. The council highlighted concerns regarding the lack of social consensus and the potential financial impact on the municipality, noting that the city’s financial independence rate is currently 11.2%. 

Officials stated that the conversion could double annual city support from 2.5 billion won to 5 billion won. Public opinion remains divided, with a survey showing 37.7% in favor and 31.7% opposed. Additionally, the council cited uncertainty regarding provincial funding and the absence of a sustainable long-term operational plan to manage rising costs.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Changwon City Council lawmakers oppose Changwon FC CEO appointment

Changwon City Council Democratic Party members are demanding the suspension of Lee Kwang-cheol’s appointment as Changwon FC CEO due to his eight criminal convictions, including violence and drunk driving.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/changwon-city-council-lawmakers-oppose-changwon-fc-ceo-appointment

### 2026-09-27: Gimcheon City Council opposes conversion of professional football club

The Gimcheon City Council has officially opposed converting the Gimcheon Sangmu football club into a citizen-owned club, citing high financial risks and a lack of public consensus.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimcheon-city-council-opposes-conversion-of-professional-football-club

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Cite as: Gimcheon Sangmu football club ownership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gimcheon-sangmu-football-club-ownership-dispute