As the integrated brand of
the Korea Overseas Volunteer Corps,
we help neighbors around the world and enhance the brand value of our nation.

What is World Friends Korea?
World Friends Korea is the new name of the Korean government-dispatched overseas volunteer corps, dedicated to helping neighbors around the world and enhancing the brand value of our nation.

In 2009, the Korean government integrated the overseas volunteer programs that had been dispersed across various ministries, leading to the launch of World Friends Korea.
Initially, the KOICA Overseas Volunteer Corps under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Korea IT Volunteers under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security,
and the University Student Volunteer Group and the Science and Technology Support Group for Developing Countries under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were unified.
The following year, in 2010, the Long-term Advisory Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Retired Experts of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy,
and the World Taekwondo Peace Corps of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also joined under WFK to carry out activities across the globe.

As a mature global nation contributing to the international community, Korea will continue to enhance its national brand through World Friends Korea.

Introduction of CI

WORLD FRIENDS KOREA

This logo, reminiscent of the five continents uniting to embrace the world at the center,
embodies the key concepts of partnership, understanding, and sincerity, based on Korea’s
experience of transforming from a country that once received aid to one that now provides it.
It signifies being a reliable friend to people all around the world.

Dispatch Objectives of World Friends Korea

A better world through sharing and learning

  • Improvement of the quality of life of people in developing countries
    By transferring knowledge, technology, and experience for poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries, we contribute to improving the quality of life of local communities. The dispatch of World Friends Korea overseas volunteers, in particular, contributes to actively supporting the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established at the UN General Assembly in 2000.
  • Promotion of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between developing countries and the Republic of Korea
    World Friends Korea overseas volunteers live and work alongside local communities in developing countries, engaging in volunteer activities to promote socio-economic development and strengthen friendly relations between the two nations. By dispatching government-sponsored overseas volunteers under the single brand “World Friends Korea,” it also contributes to spreading a positive image of our country.
  • Self-realization and growth through volunteer activities
    From the perspective of each World Friends Korea overseas volunteer, participating in overseas volunteer activities helps develop multicultural understanding and contributes to addressing global issues such as poverty and the environment. In addition, the expertise and competencies accumulated through volunteer work in specific regional fields can be applied in various areas, such as supporting multicultural families and foreign workers in Korea.
Business Strategy of World Friends Korea

The main strategies to achieve the three goals can largely be divided into three categories.

  • Establishing coordinated
    management system

  • Promoting
    civil society

  • Strengthening
    social support

Establishing coordinated management system
In December 2008, the Overseas Volunteer Subcommittee under the Office of the Prime Minister was organized to coordinate individual program-implementing agencies for the establishment of mid- to long-term strategies of the WFK Overseas Volunteer Program and to create an environment conducive to promoting overseas volunteerism. In particular, it seeks to enhance the efficiency of program implementation through measures such as the development of common training programs, sharing and expanding overseas offices and infrastructure, and strengthening support for returning volunteers. Furthermore, in connection with Korea’s ODA strategy, volunteers are dispatched primarily to least developed countries (LDCs), taking into account the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Promoting civil society
Recently, civil society, including NGOs and private enterprises, has been actively participating in overseas volunteer programs. For example, KOICA operates the KOICA-NGO Volunteer Program in cooperation with the Korea Overseas Aid Organizations Council, and maintains continuous exchange and cooperation through regular dialogue and joint evaluations. Considering the contributions of private NGOs to sustainable development in developing countries and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), strengthening cooperation with civil society can be seen as essential.
Strengthening social support
Currently, the government supports civil servants in taking a two-year leave of absence to participate in overseas volunteer activities. In addition, the National Assembly is promoting the revision of the Basic Act on Volunteer Service, which would allow public institutions to recognize volunteer service as work experience when hiring returned volunteers as employees. Furthermore, through programs that support the re-engagement of returning volunteers in cooperation projects and by providing scholarships, efforts are being made not only to acknowledge and reward volunteer service, but also to raise awareness of the value of volunteering.
Introduction to the Vision of World Friends Korea

Presents the future vision of World Friends Korea.

“A better world through sharing and learning"

  • Improvement of the quality of life of people in developing countries
    By transferring knowledge, technology, and experience for poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries, we contribute to improving the quality of life of local communities. The dispatch of World Friends Korea overseas volunteers, in particular, contributes to actively supporting the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established at the UN General Assembly in 2000.
  • Promotion of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between developing countries and the Republic of Korea
    World Friends Korea overseas volunteers live and work alongside local communities in developing countries, engaging in volunteer activities to promote socio-economic development and strengthen friendly relations between the two nations. By dispatching government-sponsored overseas volunteers under the single brand “World Friends Korea,” it also contributes to spreading a positive image of our country.
  • Self-realization and growth through volunteer activities
    From the perspective of each World Friends Korea overseas volunteer, participating in overseas volunteer activities helps develop multicultural understanding and contributes to addressing global issues such as poverty and the environment. In addition, the expertise and competencies accumulated through volunteer work in specific regional fields can be applied in various areas, such as supporting multicultural families and foreign workers in Korea.
Role of the World Friends Volunteer Corps

World Friends volunteers share knowledge and experience in developing countries, promote community change, and serve as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two nations.
For this, volunteers must possess an enterprising spirit to embrace new challenges, along with a spirit of service and a strong sense of responsibility.

Sharer of knowledge and experience
World Friends volunteers not only transfer their own knowledge and experience to developing countries, but also effectively share local experiences and wisdom together with community members and colleagues. They record and disseminate the information gained in the field of service, thereby contributing to the smooth activities of future volunteers and the advancement of the volunteer program.
Promoter of community change
World Friends volunteers act as grassroots development partners closely engaged with residents in small local communities, seeking solutions to address the problems they currently face while respecting the community’s values. However, as the true leaders of change are the local residents themselves, the volunteers play the role of facilitators, enabling community members to design and implement concrete measures for change.
Mediator of cultural exchange
World Friends volunteers embrace the unfamiliar culture of their host countries with an open mind and acquire diverse understandings of local culture through the use of the local language and immersion in daily life. They also introduce their experiences of local culture to Korea and the international community, and spread a positive image of Koreans abroad, thereby contributing to genuine communication between the two nations.
Challenger of a new life
World Friends volunteers chose overseas service to gain new experiences in a wider world and to contribute to poverty eradication and sustainable development globally. They understand the spirit and attitude of service, and respect the customs and rules of local communities in developing countries. In addition, through learning and reflection, they overcome limitations and continue to develop their capabilities.
History of World Friends Korea

1989 ~ 2022

The Past, Present, and Future
of World Friends Korea

2022
Dispatched 2,292 overseas volunteers and development cooperation talents
2021
Dispatched 2,451 overseas volunteers and development cooperation talents
2020
Participation in World Friends Korea through the Teacher Overseas Dispatch Program
2019
Dispatched 5,715 overseas volunteers and development cooperation talents
2018
Selection of KOICA Project Volunteer Corps (KOICA multi-year performance-oriented volunteer program)
2017
Hosted the International Volunteer Cooperation Organization (IVCO) Annual Conference in Seoul (Oct. 2017)
2016
Launched the World Friends KOICA KakaoTalk Plus Friend service
2015
  • Opened WFK Integrated Training Center (Yeongwol Education Center) and conducted integrated training
  • Established and dispatched new volunteer fields (International Development, Health Education Program)
  • Launched KOICA-UNV University Student Volunteer Corps and Global Saemaul Youth Specialist Volunteer Corps
2014
  • First dispatch of Dream Volunteer Corps (124 people in 7 countries)
  • Established and first dispatched the Youth Mid-term Volunteer Program (104 people in 3 countries)
  • Enacted the WFK Integrated Regulation
  • Held the first regional coordinator workshop
2013
  • Established WFK Integrated Roadmap and Evaluation Framework
  • May: World Friends Launch Ceremony
  • Unified names of individual volunteer corps
  • Launched World Friends Mentor Corps
  • Launched 2nd class of Blog Reporters
2012
june: world friends launch ceremony launched 1st class of blog reporters
2011
Integrated volunteer program budgets under World Friends Korea and expanded the use of the WFK brand to private volunteer corps
2010
World Friends Korea Launch Ceremony & First dispatch of Mid-to-Long-term Advisors (World Friends Advisor) and retired experts
2009
Launch and inauguration of World Friends Korea
2008
Started the Pan-Governmental Global Youth Leader Development Project
2006
First dispatch of the Science and Technology Support Group to developing countries (17 people in 6 countries)
2005
Began supporting UNV Volunteers
2004
First dispatch of KOICA Senior Volunteer Corps
Began supporting KOICA-NGO Volunteer Corps
2001
First dispatch of Korea IT Volunteer Corps (175 people in 20 countries)
1997
First dispatch of University Student Volunteer Corps
1995
First dispatch of International Cooperation Officers (28 people in 14 countries)
1994
Enactment of the Act on International Cooperation Officers
1991
First dispatch of KOICA Volunteer Corps (37 people in 7 countries)
1990
UNESCO Korean Committee first dispatch of 44 people to 4 Asian countries
1989
Korean Government announced plan to establish the Korean Youth Overseas Volunteer Corps
Implementing Agency Information
  • 기관 로고

    KOICA

    대표전화1588-0434 (공사삼사)

    • KOICA 일반봉사단
    • KOICA 프로젝트봉사단
    • KOICA 자문단
    • KOICA 글로벌협력의사
    • KOICA NGO 봉사단
    • KOICA 청년중기봉사단
    • KOICA UNIV 대학생봉사단
  • 기관 로고

    한국지능정보사회진흥원(NIA)

    대표전화02-6191-2030, 2057, 2073

    • IT 봉사단
  • 기관 로고

    한국연구재단(NRF)

    • 과학기술지원단
  • 기관 로고

    한국대학사회봉사협의회(KUCSS)

    대표전화02-2252-1996 (내선 209 또는 223)

    • 청년봉사단 (한국대학사회봉사협의회)
  • 기관 로고

    태평양아시아협회(PAS)

    대표전화02-563-4123~4

    • PAS 청년봉사단
  • 기관 로고

    국립국제교육원(NIIED)

    대표전화02-3668-1402

    • 교원해외파견
  • 기관 로고

    정보통신산업진흥원 (NIPA)

    • NIPA 자문단
  • 기관 로고

    대한한의약해외의료봉사단(KOMSTA)

    대표전화02-2659-4884

    • 한의약 해외의료봉사단
  • 기관 로고

    태권도진흥재단(TPF)

    대표전화02-546-0074

    • 태권도봉사단