London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Book now for Madrid 07

First the good news. You have an excuse to escape from the UK in dreary February next year for a long weekend in Madrid (15-19 February 2007): ARCO, a contemporary art expo in Madrid, has Korea as a guest of honour, so 20 Korean galleries will be exhibiting. Not so good news: in a classic … [Read More]

DPRK: Japan and the abduction issue

It’s been a while since I last received a copy of the DPRK e-bulletin. Here’s the latest one. The related BBC story is here. DPRK FM Spokesman Exposes Japan’s Moves to Internationalize “Abduction Issue” Pyongyang, June 13 (KCNA) — A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 13 as regards the … [Read More]

In love with Seoul

I’m pretty sure the FT’s coverage of Korean affairs has increased both in quality and quantity over the past year. For example, they were the only western paper I noticed that covered the publication of the annual profits of the foreign banks operating in Seoul — data only available in Korean on the financial regulator’s … [Read More]

Teaching English in Korea

I’m going to tread, very gingerly, into the minefield of discussing matters relating to English language teaching in Korea. A dangerous topic for an outsider to get involved in, firstly because the majority of English-language bloggers on Korea seem to be ESL teachers, and secondly because there are some hot issues. I’m not sure that … [Read More]

Think Korea: A Midsummer Nights Dream

News of a special Korean Shakespearian adaptation at the Barbican, as part of Think Korea 2006 Details provided by the Barbican follow. Check out their website for more fun images. Yohangza Theatre Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Directed by Jung Ung Yang, in association with AsiaNow Productions 27th June – 1st July, Barbican Theatre, Silk … [Read More]

Exhibition Visit: Traditional yet Contemporary

Air Gallery, London, May 29 – June 3 2006 As Stephanie Seung-min Kim says in her article introducing the exhibition, “…culture can only be seen in a clear light when compared with other cultures. I believe that is why Korean ceramic works have to be judged more in an international setting.” The exhibition demonstrated the … [Read More]

June events 2006

The 2006 London Korean Festival is now over. You can still comment on the films here, and also please give some feedback on the film festival generally by filling out my survey here. Comment on the Traditional Yet Contemporary exhibition here. If you managed to get to the final event, Professor Kim Chang-nam’s talk, please … [Read More]

A new Korean export opportunity?

With Japan’s supplies of cheap disposable chopsticks coming under threat, and the alternative re-usable plastic chopsticks a bit naff, Japan’s very way of life is under threat. There is surely an alternative: Korean metal chopsticks. An undreamed-of export opportunity. The (London) Times provides the background. Chopstick tussle adds bite to Orient’s diplomatic spat The Times … [Read More]

Oxford to retain Korean Studies programme

From yesterday’s Korea Times. Thanks to Aidan FC for spotting this. Oxford University will continue to run its Korean studies program, which was initially scheduled to close down in June 2007, thanks to financial support a Korean nonprofit organization and a private company. The Korea Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting international understanding of … [Read More]

Thanks for the mention – but you missed someone

Every City worker, or at least every sensible one I’ve come across, whether they be lawyer, accountant, banker or whatever, longs to be involved in non-City things. Most of them, given the chance, would give it up and take up garden design, travel the world, do something arty, charitable, anything so long as it involved … [Read More]