CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIM4E MINISTER
LUNCHEON FOR PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
CANBERRA 6 MARCH 1986
Prime minister and M~ rs Lho
I recall with pleasure my visit to Seoul a little over two
years ago. I remember the warmth of the hospitality
extended to me on that occasion. I also recall, Prime
Minister, the bracing temperatures in your otherwise
beautiful country in the depths of February.
We had hoped to welcome President Chun Doo-Hwan to
Australia in 1983, when his visit had to be cancelled as a
result of the tragedy of the Rangoon bombing. We look
forward to seeing him in Australia when circumstances
permit. Mr Prime Minister, I have great pleasure in welcoming you
and your delegation here in Canberra and to Australia
today. Korea is a nation with which Australia has had contact over
a long period. The connection goes back at least to the
early days of this century, when Australian missionaries
went to work in your country. Some 18,000 Australian
servicemen fought in the Korean War and more than 250
Australians lost their lives during those hostilities.
After the war the relationship gradually changed as Korea
itself changed. Our political links remain as firm as ever
but, alongside them, the economic relationship has grown
and become increasingly important to both our countries.
Two-way trade has now reached the level of $ 1.6 billion per
annum. In 1984/ 85 the Republic of Korea was our 8th
largest trading partner, compared with our 14th largest in
1980/ 81. During that period trade between our two
countries grew by over 110%.
2.
Korean exports to Australia of manufactured goods are
approaching annual levels of $ 500 million. They are
welcome to the Australian consumer. They have added to the
range of commodities available on the Australian market and
have enhanced our living standards.
Australia meantime has become a competitive and reliable
supplier of energy and raw materials to Korean industry.
we have also supplied a range of high quality farm products
to your country.
In short, the trading relationship is a mutually beneficial
and complementary one, and there seems no reason why it
should not continue to grow and flourish in the future.
I am aware, of course, of our Korean friends'
dissatisfaction with the imbalance in Australia's favour in
our bilateral trade and of the Korean interest in greater
access to the Australian market.
Concern has also been expressed from the Australian side
about some Korean trading policies which appear to be
restrictive or at odds with the declared objective of
gradually opening the internal market.
It is important for the two sides to work together in a
constructive spirit towards the resolution or management of
these issues. The visit by our Trade Minister, Mr Dawkins,
to Seoul last year was clear evidence of what can be
achieved through this approach to the trade relationship
between both our countries.
Korea and Australia are partners in the Asia-Pacific
region. Australia recognizes Korea's important role and
conspicious efforts directed to achieving economic
co-operation at the inter-Governmental and private sector
levels. In particular, we appreciated Korea chairing the
last meeting of Senior Officers of the Regional Trade
officials. We look forward to the continuation of this
dialogue and to Korea's continued close involvement with
the process.
Australia would like to see a situation where trade flows
continue to expand between our countries. Exports in both
directions have been going up by leaps and bounds, and the
record of the last decade shows that Korean exports have
been increasing considerably faster than those of
Australia. There clearly are ample further opportunities
for both sides to sell a lot more to each other and for
both sides to benefit in consequence.
And it is important to note that the framework for our
trading relations is underpinned by a healthy political
relationship. we share with the Republic of Korea a number
of common political concerns and international perceptions.
we consider ourselves to be one of Korea's reliable friends
and are prepared to play a positive role in helping the
Republic of Korea consolidate its position as an important
actor in the Asia-Pacific region.
I do not need to rehearse here the dangers and complexities
of the Korean peninsula. Despite these, over the past year
and a half we have witnessed noteworthy contacts and
exchanges between North and South.
Australia naturally supports the contacts at Panmunjom and
elsewhere. We were particularly pleased when last year,
for the first time since the division of the peninsula some
forty years ago, North and South were able to agree on an
exchange of visits of separated family members. It is true
that only in this one area, and then only one time, has
there been tangible progress and that it is, therefore,
necessary to remain cautious in our assessments of where
these contacts will lead. Australia, nevertheless, shares
the hopes of countries of goodwill around the world that
the dialogue will continue.
Clearly, in developing the scope for further negotiations
with the North, it is important that there be continued
stable political development in the South. The pace and
timing will necessarily be determined by Korean realities.
It is nevertheless appropriate for me to record here the
firm belief of the Australian community that a democratic
and pluralistic political system is certain to be a source
P of enduring fundamental national strength. For us, we hold
it as an article of faith that a political system that
inspires political participation and support is not
something which detracts from national security but is
rather a key element of that security. It follows that we
wish the Republic of Korea well in its march toward the
announced goal of political modernisation and full
A democratisation.
Mr Prime Minister, our two countries are both looking
forward to special events in 1988, events which mark the
maturity of our countries. In that year Korea will play
Aihost to the most prestigious international sporting event,
the Olympic Games. We are aware of the great efforts your
country is making in preparations for the Games and
Australians look forw ' ard to participating in them. Before
that time we should exploit opportunities to expand
56 exchanges between our two countries in the areas of sport
and sport administration.
For our part, Australia will be celebrating its
.4 bicentenary. Many major events have been planned, some
involving participation from abroad, and we hope that your
country will be able to participate actively in our
. X celebrations. I conclude by again saying how glad my colleagues and I are
to receive the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea and
Mrs Lho in Canberra. On your return, Mr Prime Minister, I
should be grateful if you could convey our best wishes to
His Excellency President Chun Doo-Hwan.
I now invite guests to join mec in a toast to Prime Minister
st'. Shinyong Lho and to relations between his country and
Australia.