DPhil student Alfred Lo wins highest award from the Korean Embassy in the UK in Korea–UK Development Essay Competition
Alfred W. T. Lo, a third-year DPhil candidate at Wolfson, has been awarded First Place in the Development of Korea-UK Relations Essay Competition, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK. The competition, open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the country, recognises only three awardees. Of the 27 high-quality entries, Alfred’s essay was selected for the highest distinction following a rigorous and highly competitive review process.
Alfred was formally invited to the Korean Embassy in London on 21 November for the awards ceremony, where he received the award from the Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Korea. During the visit, he also met members of the Public Diplomacy Team for discussions concerning Korea’s cultural presence in the UK, diplomatic priorities, and future avenues for Korea–UK cooperation. The award reflects his academic achievement and his growing contribution to research on Korea, international cultural relations, and language education.
Alfred’s essay, titled ‘Learning “K-” in UK: Reimagining Language Education through Korea-UK Partnership from a TransPerspective’, examines the rapid rise of interest in learning Korean in the UK, driven largely by the global spread of Korean popular culture, or the Korean Wave. The essay explores what this development suggests for language education at a time when participation in modern foreign languages has been steadily declining. It offers an in-depth analysis of how the ‘K-’ wave motivates British learners to participate voluntarily in linguistic and cultural practices beyond formal education and argues that this presents a timely opportunity to rethink approaches to MFL education. It proposes a cooperative model that combines flexibility in cultural participation with a firm foundation in Korea’s historical, social and cultural contexts, supporting more meaningful intercultural understanding and stronger long-term cooperation between Korea and the UK.
Reflecting on his work, Alfred said:
‘I believe the growth of interest in the Korean Wave across the UK demonstrates how cultural engagement can inspire new enthusiasm for language learning at a time when participation in modern foreign languages remains low. This development invites us to rethink how language education is shaped in the UK. I hope that cooperation between Korea and the UK will not only strengthen mutual understanding but also contribute positively to the wider global challenge of declining enrolment in modern language learning. I am deeply grateful to Wolfson for its support of my DPhil studies, which has enabled me to pursue research that contributes to academic knowledge whilst also making a genuine real-world impact.’
