Special Keynote Address by H.E. Cho Hyun
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea 
The 4th Korea-Australia Future Forum 
Thursday, 28 August, 2025

The Honorable Minister Penny Wong, Dr. Scott Watkins, Chair of the Australia-Korea Foundation, Mr. Ghee-whan Kim, President of the Korea Foundation, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I send my greetings to everyone from Seoul.

I first wish to commend our co-hosts for their tireless efforts in organizing this Forum, complementing government initiatives to strengthen our already strong bilateral ties. The 4th Korea-Australia Future Forum stands as a clear testament to our deepening engagement and expanding connection.

Elevating our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021 opened greater avenues for cooperation. Since then, the Korea-Australia Future Forums have continued to offer valuable insights from diverse stakeholders.

This year's Forum comes at a critical moment.

Geopolitical tensions, economic competition, and armed conflicts are mounting. In this era of borderless crises, steadfast partnerships are more essential than ever – only together can we amplify our voices and make a real impact.

Against this backdrop, the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung government in June ushered in a new chapter in Korea's diplomacy. Empowered by the trust of our people, the administration is dedicated to guide our policy with pragmatism, vision, and decisive action.

Korea's foreign policy stands firm:
we aspire to be a "globally responsible power, responding with pragmatism to a changing world."

We are committed to engaging with our neighbors, advancing our national interests, and embracing the responsibilities of Korea's growing global stature.

In this spirit, the enduring cooperation between Korea and Australia stands as a textbook example of natural, like-minded partnership.
This bond was forged more than 70 years ago, rooted in shared sacrifice. I pay tribute to the brave Australians who fought alongside us in the Korean War. Without their courage, the democracy and prosperity of Korea would not have been possible. Our gratitude will always remain.

Moving on, today's forum centers on the key dimensions of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Let me now highlight some of our recent achievements built over the long history of our cooperation.

First, security cooperation remains indispensable.

The 6th 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting last year demonstrated the depth and continuity of our strategic collaboration. Our industries are also contributing – Hanwha Aerospace established its first overseas production facility in Geelong (질롱) to produce howitzers and armored vehicles, strengthening Australia's defense capabilities.

In the multilateral sphere, our cooperation continues through joint participation in the Talisman Sabre exercises. This year, Korea sent its largest contingent to date, with over 800 personnel – a clear sign of our growing defense engagement.

Next, our economic partnership is thriving.

The ROK-Australia FTA, in effect for more than a decade, has more than doubled our two-way trade. In 2024, trade volume surpassed USD 45 billion, growing at 5.7% annually.

Australia is Korea's largest supplier of natural gas and is a key supplier to many critical minerals, including iron, lithium, and cobalt. Meanwhile, Korea contributes to Australia's renewable energy infrastructure. For instance, Korean firms such as Ark Energy and Hanwha Energy are operating solar power plants in Australia.

Looking ahead, our cooperation is well positioned to expand into emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, creating new engines for shared growth.
 
Finally, people-to-people exchanges continue to underpin our partnership.

From 2023 to 2024, more than 350,000 Koreans visited Australia – a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Korea's Working Holiday Program with Australia, providing young people with experience of each other's societies and cultures and fostering deeper mutual understanding.

I also welcome the successful conclusion of the 2nd Korea-Australia Future Youth Forum yesterday, and hope its participants will become emerging leaders shaping our bilateral collaboration. I could go on, but simply put, our partnership continues to grow in strength and scope, benefiting both nations.

Distinguished Guests,

Thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Albanese and President Lee, who stand at the helm of our progressive governments, we are uniquely placed to strengthen collaboration on bilateral and regional fronts.

When I spoke with Minister Wong earlier this month, we agreed that Korea and Australia have many opportunities to align – not only in  managing our bilateral relations, but also in jointly addressing global agendas and engaging with relevant regional partners.
With this in mind, I look forward to our continued collaboration in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.

In this light, I am confident that today's Forum will help us unlock the full potential of our partnership, guided by the insights of leading minds from both countries on our shared future.
 
Thank you once again for the invitation to speak, and I wish you all a stimulating and engaging Forum.

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