London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Choi Jin-shil “failed to maintain dignity”

The late Choi Jin-shil, domestic violence and her advertising contract: The top court ruled that she caused damage to the [construction] company by “failing to keep her social and moral honor” and thus depreciating the brand image. Following Choi’s suicide last October, her two children ― one preschooler and the other primary schooler ― are … [Read More]

What the KCC is for

About 18 months ago, there was a meeting of local supporters of Korean culture, held at the Korean Embassy as part of an initiative by the embassy for getting feedback on its marketing efforts. One of the topics of conversation was whether there was be a business plan or a mission statement for the soon-to-be-opened … [Read More]

Mad Cows: President Lee’s apology

The following is the full text of President Lee Myung-bak’s statement in a live TV broadcast at Cheong Wa Dae on 22 May to address the resumption of U.S. beef imports and ratification of the Korea-U.S. FTA. Courtesy of the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOIS). For those who haven’t been following the Mad Cow … [Read More]

Suicide Notes – a brief review of Kim Young-ha’s I Have the Right to Destroy Myself

Kim Young-ha: I have the right to destroy myself Originally published 1996 Translation by Kim Chi-young, Harcourt, 2007 An entertaining book to read, but somehow difficult to distill and digest. The narrator, who makes a macabre living as a self-employed suicide counselor, bizarrely seeks out clients whose exits he facilitates. A small and eccentric cast … [Read More]