On 11 November, Australia and the Republic of Korea held the seventh Australia-ROK Strategic Dialogue via video link.

Australia’s relations with the Republic of Korea are underpinned by shared values, a common strategic outlook, complementary economies and people-to-people links. We both seek to support a stable and prosperous region.

At the Strategic Dialogue, officials discussed options for celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021. Both sides committed to advancing the Australia-Korea relationship, including through enhanced cooperation in security, people-to-people and economic cooperation.

Australia and Korea discussed potential ways to deepen collaboration under Australia’s strategy for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and Korea’s New Southern Policy. The two sides discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the region and regional recovery plans, including ways we could work together in the region.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in international fora, such as the ASEAN-led architecture, the G20, APEC, WTO and MIKTA.

The Australian Delegation was led by Deputy Secretary Indo-Pacific Group, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justin Hayhurst. The Korean delegation was led by Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Gunn. 

Representatives from the Australian Department of Defence, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ROK Ministry of National Defense also participated.