Borussia Dortmund Opens First Permanent International Academy in South Korea in Partnership with Park Joo-ho.

Roger Hampel

Image: Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund has announced the launch of its first permanent international academy in South Korea, expanding the club’s global youth development footprint and strengthening its long-standing ties with the Asian football market. The new BVB International Academy is located in Suwon, next to the Suwon World Cup Stadium, and will operate year-round with daily training sessions for young players.

The academy is being developed in partnership with Park Joo-ho, former Borussia Dortmund player and a respected figure within South Korean football. Following his retirement, Park has shifted his focus toward youth development and community engagement, making him a strategic partner for BVB’s long-term educational and sporting ambitions in the region.

A Strategic Expansion Into One of Asia’s Most Mature Football Markets

South Korea represents one of the most advanced and structured football markets in Asia, with strong participation levels, robust school-based programmes, and a deep cultural interest in European football.

For Borussia Dortmund, which has spent the last decade expanding its presence internationally, the move signals a shift from short-term regional initiatives to permanent infrastructure investments.

The club has previously carried out touring academies, coaching visits and commercial activations across Asia, but the establishment of a fixed academy in Suwon elevates its commitment to long-term talent identification, education and brand-building.

The Training Programme: Bringing the BVB Philosophy to Asia

The new academy will deliver daily training sessions grounded in Borussia Dortmund’s established development methodology — a model that emphasises technical ability, tactical understanding, decision-making and character development.

The project aims to attract a wide range of players:

• complete beginners,

• school-age participants,

• and more ambitious youth footballers who may one day enter elite development pathways.

The structure is designed to prioritise accessibility while maintaining the high developmental standards associated with Bundesliga academies.

Park Joo-ho as a Key Figure in Local Implementation Borussia Dortmund South Korea

Park Joo-ho’s involvement gives the project both sporting credibility and cultural relevance. His playing career in Germany and legacy within Korean football position him as a bridge between BVB’s institutional knowledge and the expectations of local families, schools and football communities.

For Borussia Dortmund, appointing a local figure with global experience reflects a wider trend in international academy strategy: partnering with trusted domestic leaders to ensure operational, cultural and educational alignment.

Benedikt Scholz: BVB’s International Strategy Continues to Scale

Benedikt Scholz, Managing Director of BVB Football Academy, highlighted the strategic importance of the move, noting that South Korea’s strong football culture and existing connection to Borussia Dortmund make it a natural location for the club’s first permanent overseas academy.

The decision aligns with BVB’s broader international efforts, which include academies, partnerships and grassroots programmes across North America, Asia and the Middle East. As competition for young global talent intensifies, European clubs are increasing investments in permanent overseas academies to build long-term scouting, player-pathway and commercial advantages.