Australia and South Korea push for closer ties
Updated
It may be Australia's sixth largest partner when it comes to two-way trade but the relationship between Australia and South Korea doesn't enjoy the sameprofile as its Northern Asian neighbours. But now Korea's most senior representative in Australia is hoping this will change.
Presenter: Michael Cavanagh
Speaker: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd; Seoul's senior representative to Australia, Ambassador Dr Kim.
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CAVANAGH: Korea is viewed by many Australians as a great market products such as crude petroleum, iron ore, coal and beef helped earn Australia just over 13 billion US dollars in sales last year to its northern neighbour.
The image of Korea in Australia is that it increasingly sells its cars, televisions, and other house-hold type equipment to eager consumers.
When the Australian Labor Party was elected to office last year led by Kevin Rudd, there was great emphasis that he travel and meet with leaders in the US, Europe, China and Japan, Korea rarely figured in discussions about destinations.
After spending time in the preferred countries, Prime Minister Rudd following his second visit to China since becoming leader left Beijing after seeing the Olympic games opening and headed to Seoul for a brief visit.
During the stop-over in meetings with Korean President Lee trade naturally enough was a major issue, Mr Rudd says there was a realisation that discussions underway for a Free Trade Agreement between the two must continue, the conversation also touched on other matters such as education, and climate change
Seoul's senior representative to Australia, Ambassador Dr Kim says he hopes this is the start of a widening of the relationship.
KIM: It is about time for the two countries to discuss on those other issues, important issues including such things as security, defence middle power role, multi-lateralism climate change and other human security related issues and your prime minister's visit to Korea this time gave a sort of a momentum to discuss on these issues and upgrade relations on those areas as well.
CAVANAGH: No meeting with Seoul's leaders can be complete without discussions on security and the question of North Korea and the six-party talks.
These involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, the U.S and Russia and is aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program -- a point recognised by Mr Rudd while in Seoul.
RUDD: We in Australia supported strongly the Republic of Korea's efforts through the six party talks. We understood fully the frustrations which the ROK experiences in dealing with the regime in Pyongyang and the fact that the Pyongyang regime continues to drag the chain when it comes to fulfilling its obligations under the in principle agreements which have been reached so far and we would encourage their continued efforts together with our common ally the United States in getting a satisfactory outcome through those talks.
CAVANAGH: Despite not being a particpant in the six party talks, Seoul's man in Canberra, Dr Kim believes Australia can play a role.
KIM: I believe that Prime Minster Rudd has strong relationship with the Chinese leadership Prime Minister Rudd speaks Mandarin and has many good friends in China. If he could be helpful he could persuade Chinese leaders to play a more active role in six party talks system. China, Chinese leaders are doing very well but with Prime Minister Rudd's support maybe Chinese can do more.
CAVANAGH: Efforts to build a more diverse relationship with South Korea is reflected by the establishment of the Korea Institute at the Australian National University.
The university claims to have the highest number of post graduate students researching Korean subjects in Australia and it is hoped the institute will cover not just trade, politics and foreign policy but also issues such as women's history, literature and the arts including film and music.
