Australia-Korea: Sixty years of benign neglect

Australia desperately needs a long-term plan to support Australian studies in South Korea

Executive Summary

• The Australia - Korea bilateral relationship is successful but lacks the foundations upon which stronger relationships are built, including people-to-people, cultural and education links.

• Both countries have much to gain from greater interaction, but interest and effort is lacking. Current levels of interaction support only intermittent, surface-level engagement.

• The expatriate community in each country is relatively small and lacks voice. There is much that could be done to facilitate expatriate communities to enable them to grow and serve as foundations to build the bilateral relationship.

Policy Recommendations

• A comprehensive study looking at improving people-to-people links, including a focus on expatriate living, needs to be undertaken.

• Australia needs to promote itself as a relevant international partner in Seoul. This includes through a stronger targeted digital diplomacy presence, facilitating think tank and academic interaction, and supporting stronger people-to-…