Sangmu's playing staff is made up of young South Korean professional footballers serving their compulsory two-year military duty.

Fifteen players join up at the start of every season and spend two years with the side before returning to their previous professional club.

Sangmu FC was founded on 11 January 1984, as the football side of Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps.

[13] On 30 June 2020, the K League administration announced that the city of Gimcheon had officially submitted an application to host the team for at least the 2021 season, offering their local stadium as the football club's new home.

[14] After a preliminary review and several meetings and assemblies involving local governors, the K League eventually approved the proposal and began the process of moving the club to Gimcheon.

[15] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.