Students Visit British Embassy to Celebrate 142 Years of UK–Korea Relations

Did you know that BLACKPINK used their fame to help advocate for climate action in partnership with the British Embassy? This is just one example of UK-Korea friendship and collaboration to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.  
 

In honour of the 142nd anniversary of UK-Korea diplomatic relations, British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks welcomed our 30 student council representatives from all year groups at the embassy ground near Deoksu Palace on Monday. The embassy was set at a beautiful red-brick building that lived and breathed history, a living archetype exemplifying bilateral ties between the two countries.  

Our Head of College Alison Derbyshire kickstarted the event with opening remarks on how the partnership further enables collaborations around global education and helps students to be true connectors of the world.  
 

Ambassador Crooks gave the students an overview of the significance of diplomatic relations. Having been the sole ambassador to both North and South Korea, he gave us insightful anecdotes of working alongside North Korean staff during the 2019 meeting between the US and North Korea in Hanoi. He recounted how during Covid-19 in North Korea, he had to leave the country, not having been able to trace some of his belongings left behind in the residence since.  

Dr. Cameron Pyke, Dulwich College London Deputy Master (External) and currently Head of College at Dulwich College Beijing, provided a historical perspective of the early pioneers and exchanges through diplomats, educators and missionaries. He said the early British pioneers were curious yet showed respect for Korean culture. In the likes of the Bishop Cecil Cooper and Princess Yi Pangja, examples of these people taught the students how global citizenship is rooted in compassion and how their efforts helped build bridges between Korea and the rest of the world. 
 

The event was also attended by Deoksung Girls’ Middle School students as part of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) International Student Exchange Programme. Students and teachers were happy to connect, exchanging and sharing each others’ unique perspectives. 
 

“Global citizenship is important because it stabilises relationships between countries and opens up communication opportunities. And on a smaller scale, with the school exchanges like Deoksung Girls’ Middle School, these small interactions help build bridges to the world” said Polly W, a Senior School student council representative.   

During the panel discussion, students asked the Ambassador why he chose Korea as one of his posts and how contemporary Korea is shaping the global scheme of technology, culture and economy. Ambassador Crooks shared what Korea was like when he first arrived in the 1990s and the changes Korea has gone through during his second tenure here.  

Students got an opportunity to tour the Ambassador’s residence, truly immersing in the historical space, which hasn’t moved as the British Embassy grounds in 142 years.   

Ambassador Crooks showed students old historic stones and valuable artwork by British artists. He told the story of British diplomats who were having breakfast in the same space 75 years ago, when they heard someone knocking on the door, only to find out it was a group of North Koreans who had taken over Seoul following the invasion a week ago in 25 June 1950. The students were aghast to learn that the diplomats were abducted to the North that day.  

“I really enjoyed my trip to the British Embassy. I have deeper understanding of how Korea and the UK cooperate closely in 142 years. I also understood more about the importance of education.” said Queena D, a Primary School student council representative.  

And what is an afternoon without tea and scone? The students savoured the treats overlooking the serene garden views of the historical residence as they wrapped up the event in the middle of a bustling city.