Media release
14 December, 2009
Visit to the Republic of Korea
I will visit the Republic of Korea on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 December, my second visit to the Republic of Korea as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In Seoul, I will conduct an Australia-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with my Korean counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, His Excellency Mr Yu Myung-hwan. I will also meet the Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr Chung Un-chan, and other Korean ministers.
Minister Yu and I will review and consider ways to further build on the Australia-Korea Security Cooperation Initiative launched by Prime Minister Rudd and President Lee during the President’s successful visit to Australia in March.
Our security cooperation reflects the depth of the Australia-Korea relationship and the importance we place on working together bilaterally, regionally and globally.
I will discuss Australia’s and Korea’s common strategic interests with Korean ministers, including stability on the Korean peninsula and its denuclearisation, the further development of regional architecture, and Korea’s hosting of the G20 in 2010.
I will emphasise the importance Australia attaches to concluding a Free Trade Agreement with Korea.
The modern Australia-Korea relationship was forged in the Korean War, during which our soldiers were side-by-side for three years of bitter fighting on the Peninsula between 1950 and 1953.
As countries in the Asia-Pacific region, we both have formal alliances with the United States, we share many values and interests and work together on issues of importance to the region.
Korea is now our third largest goods and services export market. It is Australia’s third-largest source of foreign students and an important tourism market.
Media contacts
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555