Korean and Australian Business Leaders to Expand Cooperation Beyond Minerals and Energy to AI and Disaster Safety

As global trade risks and disasters increase industrial uncertainty, business leaders from Korea and Australia gathered to discuss ways to expand cooperation beyond traditional areas such as critical minerals and clean energy, venturing into new fields including advanced defense industries, artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, disaster response, and industrial safety.

The Korea Economic Association, together with the Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC), held the 46th Korea-Australia Business Council Meeting at the FKI Tower Conference Center on September 17, 2025. This meeting was organized in response to heightened safety demands in the industry and served as an opportunity to share Australia’s advanced experiences.

Park Jongwon, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated in his congratulatory remarks, “It is highly significant that discussions on strengthening supply chain stability and clean economy cooperation between the two countries are expanding in response to the spread of protectionism. The government will also provide thorough support for stable business activities.” Madeleine King, Australia’s Minister for Resources, also welcomed the event through a video message, saying, “Both countries are advancing as strategic partners for supply chain stability.”

Jang Inhwa, Chairman of the Korea-Australia Business Council and Chairman of Posco Holdings, emphasized in his opening address, “This meeting is meaningful as it seeks ways to go beyond increased investment and explore industrial safety and coexistence with local communities. I hope that the discussions at the Korea-Australia Business Council will contribute to expanding the bilateral cooperation model on international platforms such as APEC.”

Korea Economic Association. Yonhap News.

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During the main session, exemplary cases from both countries on strengthening disaster response and social responsibility activities were introduced. From the Australian side, Holly Havers, Director of the local subsidiary of GS Engineering & Construction, and Robert Saunders, Head of Elecseed, a green hydrogen engineering company, shared their experiences and expertise, proposing the establishment of AI-based safety management systems and the implementation of joint training programs. Posco Group announced plans for social contribution projects to strengthen disaster infrastructure in local communities, including training for residents and volunteer fire brigades and support for firefighting equipment.

Discussions on defense industry cooperation were also held in detail. Martin Ferguson, Chairman of the Australia-Korea Business Council, said, “Defense cooperation, which began with Australia’s participation in the Korean War, has served as a cornerstone of Korea-Australia relations. Cooperation with Korea is increasingly necessary for regional peace.” Gordon Flake, Director of the Perth USAsia Centre, also remarked, “With expected increases in defense spending, it is essential to expand partnerships with countries that share common values, beyond traditional Western partners.”

Baek Wooyeol, Head of the Center for Security Strategy at Yonsei University’s Aerospace Strategy Institute, stated, “The strategic importance of Korea-Australia cooperation is growing amid geopolitical changes. To this end, formalizing cooperation through joining AUKUS Pillar 2 is necessary.” Seo Youngwoo, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace, proposed collaboration in emerging fields such as AI-based manned-unmanned integrated systems.

In the critical minerals and clean energy session, the focus was on ways to cooperate in the value chain between the two countries. Oh Secheol, President of Samsung C&T, said in his keynote speech, “By combining Australia’s renewable energy with Korea’s industrial and technological capabilities, we can become ideal partners in hydrogen, ammonia, and large-scale battery storage.” Korea Zinc introduced renewable energy projects in Korea that contribute to stabilizing Australia’s power grid, and outlined a long-term strategy to produce green metals in Korea using Australian hydrogen.

Arafura Rare Earth, an Australian rare earth company, highlighted its processing capabilities, which allow for integrated production from rare earth ores to neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, emphasizing the expansion of the value chain beyond simple resource supply. Posco Holdings announced plans to build a foundation for research cooperation by investing in Australia’s critical minerals and establishing an R&D lab.

Both countries’ business communities agreed on the urgent need to diversify supply chains and trade to respond to trade risks originating from the United States, and reached a consensus on the necessity of Korea joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Additionally, a joint statement was adopted covering key topics such as follow-up implementation of the Green Economy Partnership Agreement, cooperation on AUKUS Pillar 2, discussions on the direction of international AI governance, and expanded cooperation on natural disaster and industrial safety response.

At the “Korea-Australia Exchange Day” event held alongside the meeting, business leaders from both countries enjoyed food and beverages together, fostering cultural and personal exchanges. Non-alcoholic wine from Australian wine company Edenvale, along with CJ CheilJedang’s Bibigo dumplings and Sobaba chicken, were served, further highlighting the significance of cooperation.

The event was attended by major Korean corporate executives, including Jang Inhwa, Chairman of Posco Holdings; Park Jongwon, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Oh Secheol, President of Samsung C&T; Cho Sunghan, Executive Vice President of GS Engineering & Construction; Lee Changhyun, Executive Vice President of LX International; Seo Youngwoo, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace; and Lee Dongsoo, Executive Vice President of Naver Cloud. The Australian side was represented by Martin Ferguson, Chairman of the Australia-Korea Business Council; Jeff Robinson, Australian Ambassador to Korea; Debra Hazelton, Chair of Export Finance Australia; Daryl Cuzzubbo, CEO of Arafura; and Catherine Savage, Head of External Relations at Hancock, as well as other leaders from the industry, energy, and finance sectors.

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