Over the past four decades many important public figures have visited our offices in support of our work in Korea. These have included HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and former British Prime Minister John Major.
In the summer of 1973 we open our operation in Korea. We are originally based in the British Embassy and the first representative is Colin Perchard.
The first Education UK Exhibition in Korea is held in 1990 and becomes an annual event. The picture shows the celebration for the 20th Education UK Exhibition Korea in 2010.
In March 1996, British Prime Minister John Major visits Korea and opens the Information Centre of the British Council.
The state visit to Korea by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh is a major landmark in the bilateral relationship between Korea and the UK.
We move to new premises in the Hungkuk Life Insurance Building in 2004. The British Council’s Director General visits Seoul to attend the opening ceremony of the new centre.
December 2004 sees the first of our Christmas parties. They soon become a firm fixture in our calendar and one of the most popular events among our English students.
In March 2010, Gerard Lemos, Acting Chair of the British Council, meets the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea.
In August 2015, British Council Teaching Centre separates their centres to specialise and dedicate the resources to two different age groups: young learners and adults.
The UK/Korea 2017–18 Creative Futures engaged 1.2 million people directly with participation by 820 UK and Korean artists and arts professionals and 134 UK and Korean arts organisations.
In August 2021, a dedicated test centre for IELTS on computer opened inside the British Council main office.