Enhancing Australia-Korea Cooperation in Contested Asia

Despite differing geographies and security pressures, Australia and the Republic of Korea face shared challenges arising from intensifying strategic competition and growing regional uncertainty. Both countries have an opportunity for a closer collaboration to promote regional stability and help shape a resilient multipolar order. How can Australia and Korea move beyond defence-industrial cooperation to advance a broader security partnership? Where do opportunities for practical, mutually beneficial collaboration lie? And how can institutional cooperation be strengthened to give the Australia–Korea relationship greater strategic depth and durability? Panel: Mr Jimin Kim (Charge d’affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Australia)(introduction) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Centre for Global Security) Associate Professor Danielle Chubb (International Relations, Deakin University) Professor Sungyong Lee (Peace and Conflict Studies, Soka University) Dr Ruth Gamble (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair) Recorded on 19th February, 2026.