Asialink, in cooperation with AusCSCAP, is working to produce a major policy-oriented report on how Australia and the Republic of Korea can work together to achieve a more open and inclusive rules-based international order.
As the international rules-based order finds itself increasingly challenged by strategic competition, middle powers are placed in increasingly difficult positions as they try to balance their security, their economies, and their values. These challenges are common to Australia and the Republic of Korea, both liberal democracies whose chief ally is the United States, and chief trading partner is China. Despite these similarities, Australia and Korea have often struggled to build meaningful collaboration.
Asialink, working alongside the Australian Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (AusCSCAP) and funded by the Korea Foundation, has been undertaking a major research project aimed at uncovering the opportunities for Australia and Korea to collaborate to develop the global rules-based order. Undertaken by lead researcher Professor Lauren Richardson from the Australian National University, the outcome for the project will be a major policy-oriented report that provides a framework for how Australia and Korea can coordinate both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Professor Richardson recently returned from a month in Seoul, conducting interviews with policymakers, government officials, and academics, to build a clear idea of how South Korea perceives its relationship with Australia. Having returned to Canberra, she is now examining the relationship from the point of view of Australian officials.