The British Council Korea presents Brits Talk Korea, a new series of presentations by British authors, journalists and public figures who live in Korea. The first presenter is Andrew Salmon, a Seoul-based reporter, and he will provide a presentation based on his book.
- Date/Time: 19.00, 21 June
- Venue: Gwanghwamun Centre of the British Council Korea
- Presentation title: Scorched Earth, Black Snow
- Online reservation (This event is fully booked and no more reservation is available.)
- There is no admission fee.
- Future presentations will be provided by Michael Breen, the author of ‘The Koreans’ in July, followed by Daniel Tudor, the author of ‘Korea: The Impossible Country’ and David Kilburn, Hanok activist from September.
Scorched Earth, Black Snow
British and Australian Soldiers in the Defense of South Korea, the Invasion of North Korea 1950
Just six decades ago, Korea was the scene of a vast human tragedy: A savage war that devoured some 2 million lives. But today, the war is largely forgotten, while South Korea today is unrecognizable as the devastated nation it once was.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice, the British Council Korea will take a look back at those traumatic days in a presentation covering the most dramatic months of the war: The defense of South Korea; the counter-invasion of North Korea; and the catastrophic Chinese intervention.
This presentation will showcase events as experienced by the men on the ground – the British and Australian soldiers and Korean civilians who were in the eye of the storm.
British soldiers were the first allied troops to land in Korea after the Americans, and the second largest contingent in the UN Command. They defended the Pusan Perimeter, then took part in UN offensive that broke the back of the North Korean People’s Army. Across the 38th parallel, they spearheaded the UN force that struck deep into North Korea - then rear-guarded the harrowing winter retreat after China’s shock intervention. Meanwhile, British special forces fought alongside US marines in the most harrowing battle of modern history: The breakout from Chosin Reservoir.
The lecture will be illustrated with over 100 images, most never published, and will conclude with the audio-visual presentation, “Green Beret, White Hell.”
Please note: Young audience members may find some images in the presentation disturbing.
About the Presenter
Andrew Salmon, 47, is a Seoul-based reporter who covers the Koreas for Forbes, France 24, The South China Morning Post, The Times and The Washington Times. An former teacher at the British Council Seoul, he is the author of four books, including the Korean War histories To the Last Round (London, 2009) and Scorched Earth, Black Snow (London, 2011). To the Last Round won the “The Best Military History Book of 2009” award in the UK; in 2010, it was named “One of the Top 10 Books on Korea” by The Wall St Journal and won its author a “Korean Wave” award at the National Assembly.
Brits Talk Korea
The British Council presents 'Brits Talk Korea', a new series of presentations by British authors, journalists and public figures who live in Korea. Every month, you are invited to attend a talk at our centre in Gwanghwamun by speakers who will share their unique insight into their special topic. Celebrated Seoul-based reporter, Andrew Salmon will kick off the series with a fascinating look at the experience of British and Australian soldier during the Korean War of 1950-1953.
Future speakers include authors Michael Breen (‘The Koreans’), Daniel Tudor (‘Korea: The Impossible Country’) and Hanok activist, David Kilburn.