Sarah Deverall, the newly appointed director of the British Council Korea, is spearheading an ambitious initiative to launch a comprehensive Digital Library in Korea, aimed at significantly expanding access to English-language books, journals, and publications. Since assuming her role on August 11, Deverall has maintained an intensive schedule, overseeing two major cultural events that showcased prominent British artists and architects in Seoul's rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
The recent cultural events under Deverall's leadership included a major exhibition by renowned UK artist Antony Gormley, presented in collaboration with White Cube and Thaddaeus Ropac during Frieze Seoul in early September. Additionally, celebrated UK architect Thomas Heatherwick served as director of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, which opened in late September, further cementing the growing cultural ties between Britain and Korea.
Reflecting on Seoul's transformation into a global cultural powerhouse, Deverall expressed her enthusiasm about the city's current status. "Seoul is now seen as one of the cultural capitals of the world alongside Rome, London, Paris and New York. I think it became a soft power superpower in the eyes of the world," she stated during an interview on October 1. "I think this is a wonderful time to be here and to be part of this exciting conversation that is happening now. We have been in Korea for more than 50 years, and I am excited to build on the legacy, but also to develop new opportunities for young people between Korea and the UK."
Deverall brings extensive international experience to her Korean posting, having previously served as director of the British Council Myanmar following an earlier leadership position in Malaysia. Her career spans multiple continents, including various roles in China from 2002 to 2010 and teaching English in Italy from 1990 to 2002. This diverse background positions her uniquely to understand the cultural and educational needs of different markets.
The centerpiece of Deverall's vision for Korea is the upcoming Digital Library project, scheduled for launch in early 2026. This comprehensive platform will provide unprecedented access to English-language books, comics, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. Beyond mere access, the initiative will include interactive programs designed to bring readers together for online book discussions and literary engagement activities.
"I am a fan of literature, and I think we have some fantastic English literature. People here probably consume it mostly in Korean, but I would love it if people who are serious about learning English and experiencing culture started to read English books in the English language," Deverall explained, emphasizing her passion for promoting authentic English-language literary experiences.
The British Council, which established its presence in Korea in 1973, operates across three primary areas: arts and culture, education, and English language instruction. The organization has built recognition through popular programs including English courses for children and adults, as well as widely accepted English proficiency assessments such as Aptis and IELTS. "The British Council has this very important role to play as a bridge in the areas of cultural understanding, cultural engagement and education between countries abroad and the UK," Deverall noted.
Beyond literature and digital access, Deverall is actively pursuing collaborations in cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence applications in education. She has engaged in ongoing discussions with Korea's Ministry of Education to explore partnership opportunities in these cutting-edge fields. "There are several conferences coming up, both in Korea and the UK, where hopefully our Ministry of Education will join forces and pursue a conversation," she revealed.
The British Council's educational philosophy emphasizes engagement and enjoyment, particularly evident in programs like Kinder Plus, a full-day English program for children aged 6 to 7. This initiative focuses not only on language acquisition but also on building confidence and self-expression skills. "If you come to our younger learner classes, you will see that they are not sitting there, doing exams. They are having a wonderful time, singing songs and coloring," Deverall described. "And teachers are incredibly experienced in that area, and they know the attention span of a 4- to 5-year-old is about five minutes. So, we plan a range of activities to keep them engaged and happy."
During her anticipated three-year tenure in Korea, Deverall looks forward to exploring the country's rich cultural offerings, with Jeju Island ranking high on her personal agenda. As an admirer of Korean literature, particularly the works of Han Kang, she recently completed the International Booker Prize-winning novel "The Vegetarian" in a single sitting and is currently reading Han's latest work, "We Do Not Part," which depicts events during a mid-20th-century massacre on the southern island.
The British Council's historical connection to Han Kang's international success demonstrates the organization's significant cultural impact. "In 2014, we brought Han Kang to the London Book Fair, where she met her translator Deborah Smith, who would later translate 'Vegetarian.' Then she won the International Booker Prize in 2016 and the Nobel Prize in literature last year," Deverall proudly noted, highlighting the British Council's instrumental role in bringing Han Kang's work to global attention and recognition.
