Incheon: Incheon United are returning to the top division in South Korean football after spending just one season in the second-tier competition. Incheon United locked down the K League 2 title and earned automatic promotion to the K League 1 on Sunday, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Gyeongnam FC at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon, just west of Seoul. Stefan Mugosa scored his league-leading 20th goal in the victory.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Incheon improved to 77 points with three matches to play, opening up a 10-point lead on second-place Suwon Samsung Bluewings and ensuring that they will not be caught at the top of the tables. The K League 2 champions are promoted to the K League 1 each year, while teams finishing from second to fifth have a chance to move up through playoffs against K League 1 opponents.

Incheon suffered direct relegation to the K League 2 last year after finishing dead last in the 12-team K League 1. Then on Sunday, they became the eighth team to earn promotion after only one season in the K League 2 since the current promotion-relegation system was put in place in 2013.

Yoon Jong-hwan, who was not re-signed by Gangwon FC last year despite leading them to second place in the K League 1 and earning the Coach of the Year award, led Incheon United back to the top competition in his first season in charge.