London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

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Selected publications

  • Booklist: Korean War (71 titles) plus the following additional publication(s):
  • Beer-bottle VC donates medal to Korea

    Two articles this week report how Bill Speakman VC, who was on a veterans’ trip to Korea, has decided to donate his Victoria Cross to South Korea. He also wants his ashes to be scattered in the DMZ when he dies. Sadly, the medal being donated is a replica: “he sold the original to a … [Read More]

    Korean War Memorial unveiled in London

    The South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se had a busy Wednesday last week as part of a three-day visit to the UK. According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release, top of the agenda was the first annual Strategic Dialogue meeting between the two countries agreed during President Park’s state visit last year. The … [Read More]

    The BKVA Annual Report 2013-14

    The following is the text of the annual report of the British Korean Veterans Association, as presented to the AGM of the newly-named British Korean Society. This is likely to be the last such report, for reasons which will become apparent as you read the following paragraphs. Chairman’s Report to the AGM of the Anglo-Korean … [Read More]

    The 2013 armistice commemorations in Britain

    The KCC has some photos of the parade of the British Korean War Veterans from Horseguards to Westminster Abbey on 11 July. The full set is on their Flickr page. And the Anglo Korean Society has an account plus photos of the annual Korean War Commemoration Day in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire on … [Read More]

    Kahoidong gets a Royal Visitor

    HRH the Duke of Gloucester has been in Seoul representing the Queen for the formalities which mark the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire on 27 July. With Ambassador Wightman and the veterans minister Mark Francois he met with President Park Geun-hye, who said she was looking forward to her state visit to the … [Read More]

    The Veterans’ last parade?

    If you’re in the centre of town tomorrow (11 July) between 11am and 12 noon, be sure to look out for the British Korean Veterans Association in what could be their last formal parade in Central London. Around 500 veterans will be marching from Horse Guards to Westminster Abbey where there will be a service … [Read More]

    A Soldier’s Tale at Asia House

    Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, a new exhibition opens next week at Asia House: A Soldier’s Tale Exhibition – 130 Years of Friendship, 60 Years of Memories Presented by ISKAI Contemporary Art, at Asia House 8 – 20 July 2013 10.00-18.00 Mon – Sat A Soldier’s Tale is an … [Read More]

    The Korean War in Colour screens at SOAS

    Something slightly different for SOAS’s evening Korean Studies seminar this time: a documentary film screening, with Q&A with the director, in this 60th anniversary year of the 1953 armistice. The Korean War in Colour Stewart Binns (Documentary Filmmaker) Date: 10 May 2013, 5:15 – 7:00 PM Venue: Russell Square, College Buildings, Room 4418 Film screening … [Read More]

    Im Kwon-taek and the wounds of the Korean War

    The Im Kwon Taek retrospective has given us all a chance to catch up on some of the films of the master that we haven’t seen before, rounding out our picture of Korea’s national director. Im is probably best known nowadays for his films which highlight some of the unique aspects of Korea’s cultural heritage: … [Read More]

    Book review: Richard E Kim — The Martyred

    Richard E. Kim: The Martyred First published by George Braziller, 1964 Published in Penguin Classics 2011, with introduction by Heinz Insu Fenzl and Preface by Susan Choi. 199 pp Fourteen North Korean priests are rounded up by the communists just before North Korea invades the South in June 1950. Twelve of the priests are shot, … [Read More]