Playing their first match since last December's FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, the continental champions got off to the best possible start as Macedonia striker Stevica Ristic marked his club debut by finding the net after 50 seconds following good work by Yeom Ki-hoon.

The 2006 Rookie of the Year was again the provider 15 minutes later as he found Kim Hyeung-bum in the penalty area and the young midfielder made no mistake to give Choi Kang-hee's team all three points.

Jeonbuk will return to action in the 2007 AFC Champions League in December at the quarter-final stage.

South Korea's other two representatives in the continental competition, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Chunnam Dragons, played out a 1-1 draw 24 hours earlier.

Last season's K-League runners-up Suwon Samsung Bluewings came from behind to pick up an opening 2-1 win against Daejeon Citizen.

The two-time Asian Club Championship winners fell behind to a 54th-minute strike by Woo Sung-jae but Mato Neretljak equalised midway through the second half and Ahn Hyo-yeon grabbed the winner for the home side with four minutes remaining.

Senol Gunes' first game at FC Seoul was a successful one as the ex-Turkey boss saw his new charges defeat Daegu FC 2-0 with second-half goals from Lee Chung-yung and Jung Jo-gook.

Former champions Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i drew 1-1 at Gyeongnam FC, Pohang Steelers won 1-0 at Incheon United and 2005 AFC Champions League semi-finalists Busan I'Park suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Jeju United.