On 13 December 2024, ASPI hosted a hybrid event to launch its report entitled “Australia and South Korea: Leveraging the strategic potential of cooperation in critical technologies” funded by the Korea Foundation. Co-authored by Afeeya Akhand and Atitaya (Angela) Suriyasenee from ASPI’s Cyber, Technology and Security team, the report highlights the importance of strengthened bilateral collaborations across the fields of biotechnologies, electric batteries, artificial intelligence (AI), and space and satellite technologies.

The event’s opening remarks were delivered by ASPI Executive Director, Justin Bassi, South Korean Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Admiral (Retd) Seungseob Sim, and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI)’s President, Dr Ji Woong Yoon. Each speaker’s remarks highlighted the timeliness of deepened bilateral relations and technological cooperation between Australia and South Korea, amidst intensifying geostrategic competition and the deteriorating security environment.

Following the opening remarks and a presentation about the report’s key findings, audience members heard insights from Australian and South Korean technology experts through a panel discussion. Moderated by ASPI’s Jocelinn Kang, the panel consisted of the report’s lead author, Afeeya Akhand, STEPI’s Dr Dongwook Seoh and ANU National Security College’s Dr Dirk van der Kley. Each expert shared their thoughts about the report, which focuses on four policy recommendations:

• Formalisation of more links between R&D institutions to facilitate expert exchanges and knowledge transfers in the biotechnology field;
• Creation of joint manufacturing facilities for electric battery materials;
• Implementation of a government-to-government framework to enable joint satellite launches on Australian soil and;
• Coordination of approaches to AI standards through international bodies.

The event was attended by a range of government, industry and research stakeholders, with several attendees travelling from South Korea and Japan to join the event.

The event recording can be accessed here.