By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee
2025 marks the significant 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Malawi, the ‘warm heart’ of southern Africa. Since establishing ties in 1965, the two nations have cultivated deep friendship beyond diplomatic relations through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Particularly, Korea's remarkable economic growth has led to expanded Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Malawi. Numerous Korean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individual volunteers have entered the country, actively working in diverse fields such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. This is widely regarded as an exemplary achievement of people-to-people diplomacy, deepening the friendly ties between the two nations.
These civilian diplomatic envoys, despite challenging conditions, are spreading Korea's values of ‘a world where we all live well together’ and deeply moving the people of Malawi.
Amid this wave of civilian diplomacy, a recent, heartwarming story embodying the spirit of ‘cooperation and sharing’ across borders has drawn attention. It centers on the Korean owner of Malawi's Third Division football club, Chizumulu United FC, university student Lee Dong-hoon, and the credit union supporting him.
23-year-old Korean club owner plants hope in ‘Chizumulu United FC’
Lee Dong-hoon (YouTube channel ‘Changbakgol’), a 23-year-old university student majoring in international development cooperation, encountered a third-division football team on the remote island of Chizsandy ditchmulu in Malawi during his travels in Africa.
Deeply moved by the young players united solely by their passion for football despite unimaginably harsh conditions—a sandy pitch, goalposts made from pipes, borrowed uniforms, and plastic sneakers—he decided to support their dreams.
Lee voluntarily took on the role of owner for ‘Chizumulu United FC’. To secure the meager team operating funds, he personally sent sponsorship proposals to over 30 companies and vividly conveyed the local situation through his YouTube channel, drawing international attention.
His sincere challenge gifted the players new uniforms and soccer cleats, along with the hope of dreaming to become ‘Malawi's Son Heung-min’. Mr. Lee Dong-hoon's dedicated efforts to create an environment where players could run freely, even on bare ground instead of sand, deeply resonated with local Malawians. He received such warm hospitality that they promised to gift him land.
CU (National Credit Union Federation)'s partnership: Extending ‘cooperation and sharing’ beyond borders
Inspired by Lee Dong-hoon's moving story and the challenges faced by the players of ‘Chizumulu United FC’, the National Credit Union Federation, Korea's leading cooperative financial institution, extended a helping hand. In October 2025, Credit Union signed an official sponsorship agreement with ‘Chizumulu United FC’, joining club owner Lee Dong-hoon on his journey.
This sponsorship by Credit Union goes beyond simple corporate social responsibility. It holds significant meaning as it extends Credit Union's core values of ‘cooperation and sharing’ beyond national borders. CU, which aims for the mutual growth of people and communities, has become a symbolic example demonstrating the spirit of solidarity and mutual prosperity worldwide by supporting the dreams of young Africans on the other side of the globe.
A CU representative stated, “We were deeply moved by Club Owner Lee Dong-hoon's challenge to create new possibilities with just a small soccer ball,” adding, “CU will continue to support in various ways so that the younger generation can pursue their dreams and local communities can grow together.”
The power of private diplomacy shining on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations
As Korea and Malawi approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, the story of university student club owner Lee Dong-hoon and CU is opening new horizons for bilateral ties.
Transcending government-level diplomacy, this case demonstrates how an individual's passion and a Korean company's spirit of sharing can break down barriers of borders and poverty to practice humanity. It proves that ‘hope built together’ is the most powerful force of private diplomacy.
On the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Korea and Malawi are now building an even warmer and closer friendship through the medium of football. The beautiful journey of club owner Lee Dong-hoon, CU, and Chizumulu United FC will continue to be a hopeful milestone in the development of bilateral relations.
