1i JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT PARK
CHUNG HEE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE RT. HON.
J. G. GORTON, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA
At the invitation of His Excellency the Right
Honourable Lord Casey, G. C. M D. S. O M. C.,
K St J Governor-General of Australia and the Lady Casey,
His Excellency Park Chung Hee, President of the Republic
of Korea and Madame Park arrived with their ( aughter,
Miss Park Keun Hye, in Canberra on September 16, 1968, for
a four day state visit to Australia. His Excellency the
President was accompanied by Choi Kyu Hai, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lee Kae Soon, Minister of Agriculture
and Forestry, Mr. Hong Jong Chul, Minister of Culture and
Information, Mr Park Joon Kyu, Chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, National Assembly and Mr. Lee Hu Rak,
Secretary-General to the President and other high ranking
officials of the Government of the Republic of Korea.
2. During the visit, His Excellency the President
of the Republic of Korea and Madame Park were received by
His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia and the
Lady Casey. The two heads of State exchanged views on
matters of common interest. His Excellency the Governor-
General presented to His Excellency the President ti e
heads of diplomatic missions in Canberra.
3 His Excellency President Park also met the Prime
Minister of Australia, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Gorton, M. P.,
and they had an exchange of views on matters of mutual
interest and common concern in a most cordial atmosphere.
His Excellency the President also had discussions with
Australian Cabinet Ministers. Korean Ministers who
accompanied the President also had discussions with their
Australian counterparts.
4. Noting with satisfaction that the solid bonds of
friendship traditionally existing between the two countries
have been further strengthened in recent years through
increased co-operation between the two countries in various
fields political, economic, military, social, cultural
the two Governments expressed their determination to
continue to co-operate fully with each other in the pursuit
of their common objectives of a secure and lasting peace
based on freedom, justice and prosperity.
In reviewing the current situation of the world,
particular attention was paid to recent developments in
Asia and the Pacific. Problems arising out of developments
on the Chinese Mainland were discussed and it was
agreed that the situation was uncertain and should be
closely followed.
6. In describing the situation in Korea President
Park informed Prime Minister Gorton of the two-phase
efforts the Government and people of the Republic of
Korea are making to defend their nation and to continue
the rapid development of the national economy.
7. The Australian Government noted with serious
concern the infiltration of north Korean armed agents
into the Republic of Korea, including the raid directed by
31 armed agents upon the official residence of the
President. It was agreed that such acts of aggression
directly threaten the peace and security of the Korean
peninsula and the area surrounding it. Recalling that it
was a party to the declaration of 1953 by which the
sixteen powers which had participated in the Korean War
had affirmed that if there was a renewal of armed attack
challenging again the principles of the United Nations
they would again be united and prompt to resist, the
Australian Government also affirms its support for the
Republic of Korea in its efforts to develop and strengthen
its national economy and ensure the prosperity of the
Korean people.
8. Taking note of the strong aspirations of the
Korean people for their national re-unification, the
Australian Government re-affirmed its support for the
United Nations objective to bring about by peaceful means
the establishment of a unified, independent and democratic
Korea under a representative form of government. The
President expressed his appreciation of Australia's
continued work as a member of the United Nations Commission
for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea.
9. It was agreed that both countries should
continue to maintain the close accord already established
in all appropriate international organisations and
conferences. The continued constitutional progress in the
Republic of Viet-Nam and the progress being achieved in
social and economic fields were noted with particular
satisfaction. It was agreed that this progress was all
the more notable for having taken place while the war
continued and the people of the Republic of Viet-Nam
were subjected to systematic terror and violence. The
determination of the two countries to play their part in
close consultation with their allies in assisting the
people and Government of the Republic of Viet-Nam to
defend themselves until a just and honourable peace is
attained was re-affirmed.
11. Discussions were also held on the present talks
in Paris between the representatives of the United States
and North Viet-Nam. It was regretted that the talks have
so far failed to make progress and that the North Vietnamese
continued to maintain an inflexible position. It was
hoped, nevertheless, that the meetings would lead to
substantive talks, in which the Republic of Viet-Nam
would naturally play a leading part. It was also agreed
that all the other allied countries should participate
in any settlement of the conflict.
12. The spirit of the Manila Summit Conference of
October 1966 and the commitment embodied in its joint
communique and in the joint communiques issued at
subsequent meetings of the allies were also re-affirmed.
In this regard it was agreed that continued close
consultation between their Governments through diplomatic
channels should be maintained.
13. Particular satisfaction was expressed at the fact
that the co-operative system among the free nations in the
Asian and Pacific region established within the framework
of ASPAC had served to strengthen the sense of common
destiny and bonds of solidarity among nations in the region.
With reference to the Third Ministerial Meeting of ASPAC
which was held in Canberra in July/ August, particular
satisfaction was expressed that the inaugural meeting was
recently held in Seoul of the Executive Board of the
Cultural and Social Centre established under ASPAC.
14. President Park valued highly the significant role
that Australia has been playing in the common efforts of
nations of the region to promote co-operation in economic,
technical, cultural and social fields and to maintain
peace and security in the region.
The greatest importance was attached to economic
development and trade expansion in order to improve living
standards and human welfare of the nations of the region.
The progress already achieved by ECAFE, the Asian Development
Bank and similar Asian regional organisations in
promoting co-operation between countries in the area was
welcomed and the two Governments agreed to continue their
support for the work of these bodies. In this connexion
they noted that the Korean Government would host the 19th
Meeting of the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee in
Seoul in October.
16. Particular importance was attached to close
economic co-operation between the two countries. It was
agreed that both Governments would see value in the
exploration of the possibility of commercial joint ventures
between Korean and Australian concerns, so as to serve
the interests of both countries, in such fields for example
as the development of the live stock industry in Korea,
of forest resources in Papua and New Guinea, and fisheries
in the waters off Papua and New Guinea. It was also agreed
that the development of air services would be desirable
between the Republic of Korea and Australia by their
respective national airlines when this proved to be
practicable. 17. It was noted that the Trade Agreement between the
two countries was operating smoothly and it was agreed
that trade promotion talks should be held in the near
future in order to discuss ways and means of further
expanding trade between the two countries. In particular
both Govenments agreed to encourage exchanges of visits
by businessmen between the two countries recognizing
that mutual trade can best be fostered by such closer
business contact.
18. Considering that the friendly relations and cooperation
between the two countries have been greatly
enhanced by exchanges in technical and cultural fields,
it was agreed to conclude an agreement for cultural and
technical co-operation between the two countries as soon
as practicable. The Australian Government undertook to
examine the possibility of providing a measure of technical
assistance in connection with the Korean Government's
programme for the development of the live stock industry.
19. President Park was deeply impressed by the
remarkable accomplishments of the Government and people
of Australia, and by their vitality, freedom and resourcefulness.
He expressed his personal admiration for the
courage and wisdom shown by the Australian people throughout
their history in dedication to the common ideals of
peace, justice and democracy. Recalling the sacrifices
the armed forces of Australia made to help defend freedom
in Korea during the Korean War, President Park conveyed the
sincere gratitude of the Korean people to the people of
Australia for their contribution.
The Australian Government expressed its admiration
for the wisdom and courage with which the Government
and people of the Republic of Korea had successfully completed
their first five-year economic development plan, thus
attaining rapid economic development, and noted further
with satisfaction that the current second five-year
economic development plan was also being efficiently
executed. 21. Deep sympathy was expressed at the drought
suffered by the people of Korea in the past two seasons
and the Australian Government informed the President that
in addition to the aid already being provided by Australia
to the Republic of Korea under the Colombo Plan a gift
of 10,000 metric tons of wheat would be made this year.
President Park indicated on behalf of the Korean Government
and people his deep appreciation of this gift and of other
aid being provided by Australia.
22. President Park stated that his Government
extended its cordial invitation to Prime Minister Gorton
to visit the Republic of Korea at a date to be mutually
agreed and Prime Minister Gorton accepted the invitation
with pleasure.
23. President Park expressed his deep appreciation to
the Government and people of Australia for the warm welcome
and cordial reception they extended to President and Madame
Park and his suite during the visit.
CANBERRA 19 September 1968.