Taekwondo Legend Daehoon Lee Joins UNHCR as High Profile Supporter

SEOUL – UNHCR Korea announced today that Daehoon Lee, prominent taekwondo athlete and former national team member of the Republic of Korea, has been appointed as a UNHCR High Profile Supporter.

In his new role, Lee will help raise awareness of the experiences of refugees and other people forced to flee, while advocating for greater international solidarity and support for displaced communities worldwide.

"We are delighted that Daehoon Lee, who has inspired people around the world through taekwondo, is now formally joining UNHCR's efforts after years of heartfelt support for our campaigns,” said Sae-Ryo Kim, Representative of UNHCR Representation in the Republic of Korea, “His genuine commitment will help inspire more people in Korea and beyond to better understand the realities faced by refugees and to stand in solidarity with them."

Lee's engagement with UNHCR began through his connection with a young refugee taekwondo athlete from Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan. Despite limited opportunities and access to resources, the athlete trained while looking up to Lee as a role model and sent him a video message through UNHCR.

The two later met at the World Taekwondo Championships as a member of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee and a competing athlete, respectively. Witnessing the athlete go on to compete on the Olympic stage as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team inspired Lee to become a committed advocate for refugee youth.

The connection was also made through the longstanding partnership between World Taekwondo and UNHCR. Since 2016, World Taekwondo has established taekwondo academies in refugee camps, including Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, creating opportunities for refugee children and youth to pursue their dreams through sport despite the challenges of displacement.

Lee's appointment builds on his longstanding support for UNHCR's humanitarian work. He has participated in campaigns supporting the protection of forcibly displaced people and collaborated with UNHCR to make refugee issues more accessible to the public.

“Meeting the young refugee athlete who told me he had dreamed of becoming a taekwondo athlete while watching my matches and later seeing him proudly compete as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team made me realize how taekwondo can represent hope for people forced to flee," said Daehoon Lee, UNHCR High Profile Supporter.

"Through my involvement in UNHCR's campaigns and social media initiatives, I have come to feel a deep sense of responsibility in sharing refugees' stories. As a UNHCR High Profile Supporter, I hope to be a strong voice for refugee children and youth, helping them heal through sport and move confidently toward a brighter future."

UNHCR High Profile Supporters are influential public figures who use their expertise, visibility and public platforms—whether in sports, the arts or other fields—to inspire greater public understanding of forced displacement and encourage participation in humanitarian efforts. They serve as trusted advocates and key partners in advancing UNHCR's mission.

For additional information, please contact:

UNHCR Korea: Nami Lee: [email protected], +82-2-2079-8926