German Embassy Deputy Ambassador Joern Beissert speaks during the Borussia Dortmund event in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
Football can serve as a powerful bridge between nations, a senior German diplomat said during an event hosted by German football club Borussia Dortmund to foster youth talent in Seoul, highlighting the sport’s role in strengthening ties between Korea and Germany.
Addressing the gathering, Joern Beissert, the deputy chief of mission at the German Embassy, praised Borussia Dortmund — commonly known as BVB — for its storied role in German football and its burgeoning appeal among South Korean fans.
“Borussia Dortmund is the club that keeps the Bundesliga interesting,” Beissert said, referring to the league BVB plays in. “Without it, it would be much more boring.”
Beissert said Dortmund enjoys strong support not only in Germany but also internationally, including in Korea.
“I know that they also have a lot of fans here in Korea,” he said. “The fact that so many of you are here tonight shows that the name Borussia Dortmund is also growing in Korea.”
Reflecting on football’s broader significance, the deputy ambassador said the sport plays an important role in connecting people and cultures.
“As an embassy responsible for international relations, I think it is quite obvious that football connects people,” he said. “This is especially true for the relationship between Germany and Korea.”
He also pointed to the long history of Korean players making an impact in German football, noting that many German fans still remember Cha Bum-kun, the legendary Korean striker who played in the Bundesliga in the 1980s.
BVB Football Academy General Manager Christian Diercks speaks during a Borussia Dortmund event in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
Source: Korea Times News
