Kim Min-ji (Korean: 김민지; born 21 August 2003) is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for WK League team Seoul City Amazones and the South Korea national team.
Early life Kim was born in Mapo-gu, Seoul. While attending Seogang Elementary School, she enjoyed running and often stayed behind on the sports field to watch the school's boys' football team train. The coach noticed her and suggested she try the sport, and as a result, she played for the boys' team up to the U-12 level.
Youth career Kim progressed to the U-15 girls' football academy at Oju Middle School, where she was known for her work ethic, undertaking weight training alone for up to two hours every night. Kim continued to play at Seoul Dongsan I.C.T. High School, then Daeduk University in Daejeon.
Club career Kim was selected by Seoul City manager Yoo Young-sil in the first round of the 2024 WK League new players draft, signing a three-year contract with the club. She was unable to play for much of the 2024 WK League season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury that required surgery; she played the 2025 season with a pin still in place in her right knee. In 2025, Kim recorded eight goals and three assists across 26 league games and was named in the WK League Best XI at the 2025 KWFF Awards. She was also presented with the Best Young Player award at the 2025 KFA Awards.
International career Kim represented South Korea at the 2017 EAFF U-15 Girls' Tournament and the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. She wore the captain's armband at the 2019 AFC U-16 Women's Championship. Team coaches named Kim as one of South Korea's key hopes ahead of the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, but the tournament was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kim received her first senior international call-up ahead of the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship. She made her debut in July 2025, coming on as a substitute in the 23rd minute of South Korea's clash with China at the tournament, and was in the starting line-up for the team's second match, against Japan. Praising Kim's "hard work and fighting spirit", manager Shin Sang-woo said he believes Kim will play an important role as the South Korea women's team undergoes a generational shift.
Kim scored her first international goal in a friendly against Wales in November 2025.
Style of play As a youth player Kim played primarily as a defender, but also occasionally played as a midfielder or centre forward, and even briefly as a goalkeeper. She began playing as a midfielder after joining Seoul City at the suggestion of manager Yoo Young-sil.
Kim is known for her versatility, stamina, and dedication to training and self-management off the field. She credits her early years playing for a boys' team as helping her develop physicality and confidence in duels. Kim has cited Jeon Eun-ha and Lee Geum-min as role models for their skill in taking risks to break through opposition lines and create attacking opportunities.
Career statistics
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSouth Korea202551Total51
Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kim goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Kim Min-jiNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition129 November 2025Ciudad Deportiva Fundación, Málaga, Spain1–11–1Friendly2 14 September 2026 Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan 1–05–0 2026 Asian Games32–044–0517 September 20261–06–0625 September 20266–36–3
Honours Daeduk University National Sports Festival: 2022 Queen's Cup runner-up: 2022, 2023
Seoul City Amazones National Sports Festival runner-up: 2024 WK League runner-up: 2025
South Korea EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2025
Individual Queen's Cup Best Defender: 2023 KWFF WK League Best XI: 2025 KFA Young Player Award: 2025
References
External links Kim Min-ji - via KFA