Co-hosted by SOAS and the Northeast Asian History Foundation, this conference brings together prominent scholars on the “comfort women” issue and broader topics of wartime sexual violence, along with expert discussants from a variety of relevant fields. In an era where historical revisionism and political tensions increasingly shape narratives of the past, this event provides … [Read More]
Category: News and Current Affairs
SOAS seminar: Recording memories of human rights violations in North Korea
The human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea or DPRK) is exceptionally challenging to address externally, as the population remains isolated from the international community and lacks an independent civil society to advocate for people’s rights. Despite these difficulties, the situation has been captured and documented primarily through the ‘voices’ … [Read More]
Korean films at BFI Flare 2025
This year at BFI Flare we have three films by Korean directors and one by a Korean American. The latter – The Wedding Banquet by director Andrew Ahn – has been chosen to open the festival and includes Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung among the cast. Londoners were introduced to Andrew Ahn’s work at Queer East last … [Read More]
Understanding South Korea’s Political Crisis: Martial Law, Impeachment and Populist Politics
A Roundtable on Contemporary South Korean Politics Speakers: Jang Kyung-tae (Democratic Party of Korea), Kim Jaesub (People Power Party), Lee Jaeyoung (People Power Party). Chair: Dr John Nilsson-Wright Following President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s surprise announcement of martial law on December 3, 2024, South Korean politics has been plunged into a period of great political uncertainty and … [Read More]
The Postdevelopmental State: Dilemmas of economic democratization in contemporary South Korea
Dr Doucette will introduce his recently published book on the politics and political economy of contemporary South Korea – a book that is even more topical in the current political crisis the country is facing. This book is a major contribution to both Korean and East Asian Political Economy across a number of different disciplines. … [Read More]
North Korea: Human rights, security and beyond
Please join the Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics for a panel discussion involving representatives of the Republic of Korea’s Institute for National Unification (KINU), and leading UK Korea specialists. The discussion will consider the human rights’ situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the wider issue of how international law might be used … [Read More]
Anti-Feminist backlash: Gender and generational conflict in South Korea
Scholarship on Korean elections and voting behavior has emphasised the shift from traditional cleavages such as ideology and region to newer ones, including generation, class, and gender. One of the most common keywords used during South Korea’s 2022 presidential election was Idaenam (male in twenties), hinting at the social group more likely to prove determinant … [Read More]
Cancelling Patji – presented by Namoo Chae Lee
Cancelling Patji is a play about two sisters whose father was called out at the biggest #MeToo case of the country on their special day of shamanistic ritual to wash off their bad fate. Mirroring the Korean traditional fairy tale of Kongji and Patji, we see how the guilt transfer to the family members and … [Read More]
From Escape to Hope: Escape in Search of a United Korea
Spend an afternoon exploring the courageous journeys of North Koreans as they escape in search of one united Korea. “One Korea: Escape in Search of a United Korea” will take you through personal stories of struggle and hope, giving voice to the resilience of the North Korean people. The event features the screening of Dotori, … [Read More]
K-Culture Tech: UVR to the Future – discussion at the KCC
Dr. Woo Woontack from KAIST’s Graduate School of Culture Technology is set to give a lecture at the Korean Cultural Centre UK, focusing on a visionary metaverse platform that transcends the limitations of time and space. In collaboration with leading global art institutions, this future-oriented platform will allow citizens from around the world to engage … [Read More]
The U.S.-Korea Alliance: Why It Might Fail and Why It Must Not
The Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics invites Scott Snyder to discuss the U.S.-Korea alliance and the internal and external challenges it faces. The U.S.-Korea alliance has endured through seven decades of shifting regional and geopolitical security contexts. Yet it now faces challenges from within. Domestic political turmoil, including deepening political polarization and rising forms of exclusive … [Read More]
From Shadows to Light: An Afternoon of Talks on North Korean Human Rights
Join the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council UK Chapter for an afternoon of personal stories and professional insight on the hidden situation in North Korea. Followed by Q&A and reception 14:00 – 14:10 Event Opening 14:10 – 14:30 Opening Talk: Chulsoo Kim Chulsoo Kim, a North Korean escapee who arrived in the UK as a teenager … [Read More]
Voices of Freedom: Performances, Escapee Talks, Documentary & Director Q&A
You’re Invited to “Voices of Freedom”: An Evening of Reflection, Tribute, and Unity Join us for a profound journey through the stories of North Korean defectors and the forgotten POWs of the Korean War, hosted by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council. This unique event weaves together inspiring lectures, a compelling documentary screening, and heartfelt performances … [Read More]
Korean films at BFI Flare 2024
Last year BFI Flare had a Korean focus, giving us four feature films and a short. It’s only natural that this year’s offering won’t quite match up to last year’s feast, but still we have one feature and a short: Heavy Snow (폭설) Dir: Yun Su-ik (2023, 77 mins) Cast: Han So-hee, Han Hae-in Monday … [Read More]
SOAS seminar: An Atomic Age Unleashed
This presentation explores the common culture of Cold War scientism and atomic developmentalism in early North and South Korea. While tens of thousands of Koreans were subject to the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, early peninsular analysis of the bombings rarely grappled with the existence of these individuals. The general exclusion of colonial subjects … [Read More]
President Yoon’s State Visit
The President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, accompanied by Mrs Kim Keon Hee, will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as the guest of His Majesty The King from 21st to 23rd November 2023. Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Buckingham Palace. … [Read More]