Germany's Bundesliga's prestigious Borussia Dortmund to open its first official academy in Korea
Nov 26, 2025
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The academy was opened through collaboration with Korean soccer legend Park Joo-ho, a former national player and Dortmund native. Park Joo-ho, who has been striving to foster youth since his retirement as a professional, plans to create an educational environment in which anyone from young players in their infancy to competitive prospects can grow stably.
Benedict Scholz, director of Borussia Dortmund Academy, said, `It is very meaningful to open an official academy in Korea, which has a high passion for soccer and a long-standing relationship with Dortmund"I hope that Korean soccer prospects will be able to experience Dortmund's unique philosophy of systematic training system, teamwork, and the essential joy of soccer." He added, "It is especially meaningful to be with Park Joo-ho, who has a strong will to foster youth."
The Dortmund International Academy is based on the core philosophy that Dortmund emphasizes, such as teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship, and the natural joy of the game, beyond simple technical training. It also provides a systematic educational program that can develop soccer skills as well as personality and social competence in a balanced way under professional guidance applying the Dortmund coaching system.
Park Joo-ho, the general manager of the academy, said "It is very meaningful for me personally to be in charge of the operation of Dortmund International Academy Korea. After finishing my professional career, I wanted to share my experience and learning from soccer with young players. "We will create an environment where young players can grow by learning not only to improve their skills, but also to respect each other, teamwork, and persistence. I'm looking forward to seeing how future players will grow under Dortmund's philosophy."
Two coaches from Borussia Dortmund International Academy headquarters participated in the opening soccer camp held on the 24th to commemorate the opening of the academy. Youth players who participated in the camp had time to experience Dortmund's global training and experience the core values pursued by the academy in advance.
Dortmund appreciates South Korea's passion and potential for soccer and expects the opening of the academy to be an important turning point in realizing Dortmund's global vision for the development of youth soccer around the world.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
