First Kimchi School outside Korea intended for Kingston

Kingston Council has signed an agreement setting its ambition to bring the first Kimchi School outside Korea to Kingston, after welcoming a delegation from Nam-gu, in South Korea, to The Guildhall.

The agreement, called a Memorandum of Understanding, was signed by Kingston Council and Nam-gu district, Gwangju, and focuses on promoting understanding of the cultural and culinary heritage of Korea. It includes the intention to open the first Kimchi School outside Korea in Kingston, in collaboration with the Korean British Cultural Exchange Foundation and Gwangju Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation.

It is hoped the Kimchi School will open in September 2025. It will offer residents of Kingston the chance to learn about kimchi, an iconic Korean dish and a symbol of K-food, and the UNESCO-recognised kimjang (kimchimaking) culture.

The Royal Borough of Kingston, home to one of Europe’s largest Korean communities, has previously demonstrated its strong ties with Korean culture by becoming the first place in Europe to mark 22nd November as Kimchi Day.

Cllr Andreas Kirsch, Leader of Kingston Council, said: “It is wonderful to be able to set the intention to bring the first Kimchi school