Australia and Korea: Middle Powers in Uncharted Waters
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAs middle powers, what role can Australia and Korea play in promoting an open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region? How can the two countries continue to develop strong cooperative relations in the future?
2021 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Australia and the Republic of Korea. Although separated by vast waters, these two countries have played a robust role in shaping the economic and security landscape of the Indo Pacific. As middle powers, they have relied on their strong alliances with the U.S to ensure regional security. However, the rise of an assertive China, as well as a recalibration towards domestic issues in the U.S, have forced them to navigate uncharted waters.
Earlier this year, the bilateral relationship between Korea and Australia was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Yet, as the Asia-Pacific enters a dangerous period of rivalry and tension, this strategic relationship may face some unique constraints and challenges.
Join Wongi Choe, Professor at Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) and Asia Society Australia-Korea Fellow, Jeffrey Robertson, a visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne's Asia Institute and Associate Professor at Yonsei University, and Hayley Channer, Senior Policy Fellow at Perth USAsia Centre, in conversation with Yvonne Kim, Executive Director of the Asia Society Korea Centre, on the strategic challenges and opportunities of middle powers in the region and the critical roles which Australia and Korea play in the Indo-Pacific.
Date: Wednesday 24 November 2021
Time: 3 - 4 p.m. AEDT
Venue: Zoom Webinar
Please note this event will run as a webcast only. Registration is essential. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]
The Australia and Korea: Middle Power Parallels project is supported by the Commonwealth through the Australia-Korea Foundation, which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This event is in partnership with Asia Society Korea.
This event is supported by:
About our Speakers
Wongi Choe, Professor at Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) and Asia Society Australia-Korea Fellow
Wongi Choe, is a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), where he has been doing policy research on various topics in Asian regional politics, climate change and global governance, etc. As an advisory member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the ROK delegation, he participated in the UN Climate Change Negotiations from 2009 to 2019.
Currently, he serves as the head of the Center for ASEAN–India Studies at the KNDA. In that capacity, he leads KNDA's policy research on Korea's diplomatic approach to Southeast Asia, South Asia and beyond. He also serves as a member of advisory group at the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy in Korea.
Hayley Channer, Senior Policy Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre
Based in Canberra, Hayley produces analysis on Australia's foreign and defence policy in the Indo-Pacific and engages with key government agencies and other policy stakeholders.
Hayley has led a diverse career across government, think tanks and the not-for-profit sector. She previously worked for the Department of Defence producing policy advice on Australia’s defence cooperation with the United States and Japan. She has also been an adviser to former Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne, analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), and coordinated government relations for Australia’s largest non-profit organisation, World Vision.
Yvonne Yoon-Hee Kim, Executive Director, Asia Society Korea Centre (moderator)
Yvonne is a professional event planner, non-profit program developer and media communications expert. From 1998-2007, Ms. Kim held varying roles at Columbia University's financial management and administrative departments, including managing special events for the President's Office.
Prior to joining the Korea Centre in July 2008, she was an Executive Associate for the Senior Vice President of Operations at Asia Society's New York headquarters. Ms. Kim has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in East Asian Studies. She is fluent in Korean.
Jeffrey Robertson, Visiting Fellow at the University of Melbourne's Asia Institute and Associate Professor at Yonsei University
Dr. Robertson is an associate professor at Yonsei University and a visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne's Asia Institute. Before moving to academia, he worked for the Australian government in the field of foreign policy and North Asia, focusing on China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. This included a period as senior research specialist for the Australian Parliament, where he provided advice to Members of Parliament, Senators, and Parliamentary Committees on foreign policy, political, and strategic affairs relating to North Asia.
Asia Society Australia acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.