London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

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Selected publications

1883: A Journey Through the Archives

The KCCUK is pleased to present ‘1883: A Journey Through the Archives’ to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the United Kingdom. The exhibition features a wonderful array of materials that presents the encounters between Korea and the UK in the early period of diplomacy in 19th century Joseon. As Korea … [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]

Royal visit to New Malden

His Majesty The King will visit New Malden on Wednesday, 8th November to spend time with the area’s Korean community, ahead of the State Visit by The President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady later this month. The King will meet community groups at New Malden Methodist Church and hear about Korea’s … [Read More]

Site of first Korean legation in London unveiled

At a brief ceremony on 30 October, Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol unveiled a plaque marking the location of the first Korean legation to London, together with Mr Ian McDermott, representing the owners of the building. The building is at 4 Trebovir Road [map], a side street by Earls Court Station in West London, and is now … [Read More]

The Ties Through Time: an exhibition celebrating 140 years of UK-Korea Relations

Experience a world of enduring diplomatic relations that have stood the test of time. ‘The Ties Through Time’ is a grand tribute to 140 years of remarkable cooperation, cultural exchange, and diplomacy between the United Kingdom and Korea. Our journey begins with the first encounter in 1797, followed by early diplomacy from 1883 to 1903 … [Read More]

Cairo Declaration and Korean service in British army commemorated in SOAS conference

Hands up, anyone who had actually heard of the Cairo Declaration before this SOAS conference designed to mark its 80th anniversary? I certainly hadn’t. Winston Churchill was in Cairo with a contingent of over 100 diplomatic and administrative staff, in late November 1943, where along with Chang Kai-shek and President Roosevelt they were starting to … [Read More]

Conference: The Korean Independence Movement and the United Kingdom

To commemorate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the United Kingdom and the 80th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, SOAS University of London and the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government are jointly holding this international academic conference. Scholars from Korea and the UK will gather to engage … [Read More]

Books and People: a Korean Cornucopia

Brother Anthony of Taizé has donated to the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, his extensive library of nineteenth and early twentieth-century books by foreigners on Korea and will offer comments on selected books and the personalities behind them. Biography Brother Anthony of Taizé (naturalized Korean name An Sonjae) studied Medieval and Modern languages at Oxford. … [Read More]

Andong remembers the Queen

The Korea Times has a nice article reminiscing about the Queen’s visit to Andong’s Hahoe Folk Village in 1999, where she celebrated her 73rd birthday. The village has set up a temporary memorial for the Queen for visitors to pay their respects in the period leading up to the state funeral on 19 September. The … [Read More]

Cliff Richard in Seoul, 1969

OK, here goes… possibly LKL’s first ever Cliff Richard post. While searching for vintage Korean vinyl records sold in the UK on the Discogs record collectors website (they do crop up now and then, but if you’re a fan of Songolmae or Lee Mija, forget it: you’re too late!), I found this intriguing item – … [Read More]

V+A Korean programme receives boost from MCST

Great news for the V&A’s programme of Korean activities and gallery: V&A announces landmark partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 17 June 2020: The V&A has today announced a new five-year partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea. This major grant will enable the redevelopment of the museum’s … [Read More]

A roundup of the early Autumn celebrations

As people return from their summer holidays and prepare for the autumn season, there’s a range of celebratory events that form part of the annaul cycle: from the Korean holiday calendar there’s Chuseok (celebrated over the full moon of the 8th lunar month – 12 -14 September this year) and National Foundation Day, also known … [Read More]