Australia-Korea Business Council

🇦🇺🇰🇷 Another important connection between Australia and Korea is returning.

AKBC welcomes the announcement that Korean Air will return to Melbourne for the first time in 13 years, launching direct services between Melbourne and Seoul from 18 December 2026.

The seasonal service will operate three times a week between Melbourne and Seoul Incheon, using a Boeing 787-9.

Direct air connectivity matters enormously to the Australia–Korea relationship. It makes it easier for businesses to build relationships, executives and delegations to travel between our two markets, students and researchers to collaborate, and tourists to experience both countries.

It is particularly encouraging to see this investment at a time when the Australia–Korea relationship is broadening across energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, defence, technology, education and tourism.

As Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos noted, a reliable direct connection between Melbourne and Seoul matters for Victorian exporters, the tourism sector and Victoria’s Korean community.

We hope the strong demand for travel between Australia and Korea will see this service continue to grow and ultimately support even greater connectivity between our two countries.

A very welcome development for the Australia–Korea relationship. ✈️

🇦🇺🇰🇷 Melbourne Airport is a Silver member of the AKBC.

Looking to grow your organisation's profile, network and impact across the Australia-Korea corridor? Reach out to Hayley Edwards, our Head of Memberships, at [email protected] or book a meeting directly with her below 👇
https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/0e638ca494e3417d9584043a1933d32b%40akbc.com.au?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled

🌟 AKBC welcomes M Resources! 🌟⁠
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M Resources is a market leader in the supply of steelmaking raw materials, providing trading, marketing, logistics and mining services across international markets. Headquartered in Brisbane, the company works with customers and partners throughout the global steel value chain and is one of the world’s largest seaborne suppliers of metallurgical coal.⁠
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M Resources has a strong connection with Korea through its joint venture partnership with POSCO, Korea’s largest steel producer. Through this partnership, the company supports the secure supply of critical steelmaking raw materials and contributes to strengthening Australia–Korea resources and industrial cooperation.⁠
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With the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting fast approaching in Adelaide on 1–2 September, M Resources joins the AKBC network at an exciting time. The Joint Meeting will bring together senior Australian and Korean business and government leaders to strengthen relationships, explore new opportunities and advance cooperation across key sectors, including resources, energy and critical minerals.⁠
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Welcome aboard, M Resources! ✨⁠
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🇦🇺🇰🇷 Interested in learning more about the Australia-Korea Business Council and becoming a member? Reach out to Hayley, our Head of Memberships, via email at [email protected] or book a meeting directly with her 👇⁠
⁠https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/0e638ca494e3417d9584043a1933d32b%40akbc.com.au?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled
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🎤 SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT | 47th AKBC–KABC Joint Meeting

We are pleased to announce that Sumit Mukhija, Group Chief Executive Officer of DCI Data Centers, will be speaking at the 47th Australia–Korea Business Council (AKBC)-Korea–Australia Business Council (KABC) Joint Meeting, to be held in Adelaide on 1–2 September 2026.

Sumit will participate in Session 2, Innovation, R&D and Commercialisation, bringing more than three decades of experience leading, transforming and scaling businesses across IT products and services, including data centres, cloud and managed services.

Sumit is a seasoned international data centre executive and is the Group Chief Executive Officer of DCI Data Centers. Prior to joining DCI, he was CEO for STT GDC in South Asia for over a decade. Previously, Sumit held various leadership roles in Microsoft Corporation, Cisco Systems and the Tata Group in the region.

📅 1–2 September 2026
📍 Adelaide, South Australia
🔗 Register now to join Sumit Mukhija and other senior leaders shaping the future of the Australia–Korea economic partnership. Registrations are closing this Friday. Register now. https://akbc.glueup.com/event/47th-akbc-kabc-joint-meeting-164501/

📩 🇦🇺🇰🇷⁠ Not yet a member? Reach out to Hayley, our Head of Memberships via email [email protected] or book a meeting directly with her 👇
https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/0e638ca494e3417d9584043a1933d32b%40akbc.com.au?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled

We are excited to share some of the outstanding speakers joining us for the 47th AKBC–KABC Joint Meeting in Adelaide.

Do not miss Australia and Korea’s premier bilateral business forum, bringing together leaders to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for growth under the theme, Trusted Partners in a Changing World.

Do not miss your chance to meet and hear from influential business and government leaders from Australia and Korea 👇
https://akbc.glueup.com/event/47th-akbc-kabc-joint-meeting-164501/

On 7 August 2026, AKBC's Head of Industry Groups, Jenny Jisun Kang presented at the Space Economy Seminar in Sydney. AKBC was delighted to support this event, led by Dr Arpit Raswant, Assistant Professor and Program Convenor, University of Newcastle, who has served as the project lead for this project, funded by the Australia-Korea Foundation.

Discussions explored:
🔹 The role of space technologies in supporting connectivity, resilience, monitoring and national security
🔹 Innovation ecosystems and emerging commercial opportunities
🔹 Security challenges within the evolving space economy
🔹 Opportunities to strengthen collaboration among Australian and Korean government, industry and research institutions

Jenny delivered a presentation on AKBC’s role in advancing Australia-Korea cooperation in the space economy.

The presentation highlighted the complementary strengths of Australia and Korea, growing government-to-government engagement following the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Space Agency(ASA) and the Korea Aero Space Administration(KASA), and opportunities for cooperation across Earth observation, robotics, automation, space manufacturing, launch services and space domain awareness.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to highlight the upcoming 47th AKBC–KABC Joint Meeting, taking place in Adelaide from 1–2 September 2026. As Australia’s leading space hub and home to the Australian Space Agency, Adelaide provides an ideal setting to continue these discussions and build new commercial and institutional connections.

Building on the workshop’s momentum, Dr Arpit Raswant will lead an Australia–Korea Space Economy Roundtable on 1 September 2026. The roundtable will bring together key stakeholders to identify practical pathways for cooperation and strengthen connections.

🗓 1 September 2026
⏰ 10:00–11:00 am
📍 Australian Space Agency, Ground Floor, McEwin Building, Lot Fourteen, 364–370 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

Through its Defence and Space Priority Sector, AKBC will continue connecting government, industry and academia to help turn shared ambitions into projects, investment and long-term Australia–Korea partnerships.

📩 To learn more about the roundtable or express your interest in participating, please email Jenny Kang at [email protected]

-Korea #호한재단

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the How to conduct effective meetings with Korean stakeholders, and maximise outcomes at the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting. 🇦🇺🇰🇷

We were pleased to welcome both members and non-members to this practical training session, which explored the cultural nuances, business etiquette and communication styles that can help organisations engage more effectively with Korean stakeholders.

A sincere thank you to Robert Saunders, Managing Director of Elecseed Australia, and Jenny Kang, Head of Industry Groups at AKBC for sharing their insights and real-world experiences developed through years of working with Korean organisations and partners. Their perspectives provided valuable context for Australian businesses seeking to build stronger and more productive relationships in Korea.

Participants raised thoughtful questions throughout the session, including:
✅ How hierarchy influences communication, decision-making and meeting dynamics in Korean organisations;
✅ Business etiquette and professional expectations, including business card exchanges, seating arrangements, greetings and forms of address;
✅ Strategies for navigating cultural differences, building trust and developing long-term relationships with Korean counterparts.

The strong engagement throughout the session reflects the growing interest across the Australia-Korea business community in strengthening cross-cultural capability and maximising outcomes when working with Korean partners.

📩 Registrations to the next training session on Korean communication essentials is now open 👇 https://akbc.glueup.com/event/korean-communications-essentials-for-business-189946/

Looking to strengthen your understanding of Korean business culture and stakeholder engagement? AKBC delivers practical training programs designed to help Australian organisations work more effectively with Korean partners. Contact Jenny Kang at [email protected] to learn more.

📢 EVENT 📢
Heading to Adelaide for the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting on 1-2 September? Make the most of your visit by extending your programme with the Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit on 3-4 September in Adelaide. Through AKBC's event partnership with the Summit, Joint Meeting delegates can access the Summit's full two-day programme at a discounted rate.

Join industry leaders, policymakers and innovators as they explore this year’s theme, “Green Industrialisation for a Secure Future.”

The Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit brings together the hydrogen and energy industries to examine the sectors critical to achieving net-zero ambitions at scale, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), green metals, low-carbon cement, and the production of methanol and ammonia.

Through expert insights and practical case studies, the program will explore project bankability, industrial demand, enabling infrastructure and technologies moving beyond pilot projects helping delegates identify where the strongest opportunities exist and how to accelerate them into commercial reality.

Secure your two-day delegate pass for just $675 + GST by using the promotional code APHY26_AKBC, a saving of over 70%.

Register now before it's too late 👇
https://www.world-hydrogen-summit.com/asia-pacific/en-gb.html

📢 EVENT 📢
South Korea is undertaking significant higher education reforms aimed at strengthening regional innovation, research capability and global collaboration opportunities.

Key initiatives include the Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE) program, increased support for specialised regional universities, major investment in regional research institutions, and a new national focus on AI education and talent development. These reforms are creating new pathways for international research partnerships, student mobility and industry-linked collaboration between Australian and Korean institutions.

To support greater engagement and understanding, the Australian Embassy in Seoul will host the first Korea-Australia University Collaboration Webinar on Thursday, 20 August 2026. The webinar will provide insights into Korea's ANCHOR initiative (formally known as the Anchor-Regional Growth Talent Development System, and rebranded from the former RISE framework) and showcase collaboration opportunities with leading universities in Jeolla Province, including Chonnam National University, Sunchon National University and Jeonbuk National University.

Read more below 👇https://zoom.us/meeting/register/xCh2uDcDTB6LIMqhU5YS8w #/

📩 Did you know Education and R&D is one of AKBC's Priority Sector? Email [email protected] or check our website to find out more about how you can participate in AKBC Priority Sector activities. https://akbc.com.au/akbc-priority-sectors

🎤 SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT | 47th AKBC–KABC Joint Meeting

We are pleased to announce that Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, will be speaking at the 47th Australia–Korea Business Council (AKBC)-Korea–Australia Business Council (KABC) Joint Meeting, to be held in Adelaide on 1–2 September 2026.

Enrico will participate in the Opening Panel, Trusted Partners in a Changing World, bringing extensive leadership experience across Australia’s space sector and international aerospace industry.

Enrico has led the Australian Space Agency since January 2021, where he has proudly led a diverse team that has achieved a number of major milestones. Under his leadership, the Agency has reached an agreement with NASA for an Australian designed, built and operated rover to be included in a future mission to the Moon, secured the first launch permits and launch facility licences under the Australian Space (Launches and Returns) Act, and seen the first commercial spaceflights from Australia.

Before joining the Agency, Enrico spent 14 years in various roles at Virgin Galactic, including establishing and leading a vertically integrated aerospace manufacturing and testing operation for Mach 3, crewed commercial spaceships. He was also part of the team that launched the New York Stock Exchange listed public company and was appointed Chief Operating Officer.

📅 1–2 September 2026
📍 Adelaide, South Australia
🔗 Register now to join Enrico Palermo and other senior leaders shaping the future of the Australia–Korea economic partnership.
Complimentary registrations are available for eligible AKBC members, depending on membership tier. https://akbc.glueup.com/event/47th-akbc-kabc-joint-meeting-164501/

📩 🇦🇺🇰🇷⁠ Not yet a member? Reach out to Hayley, our Head of Memberships via email [email protected] or book a meeting direct 👇 https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/0e638ca494e3417d9584043a1933d32b%40akbc.com.au?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled

🌟 AKBC welcomes Griffith Asia Institute! 🌟⁠
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Griffith Asia Institute (G*I) is an interdisciplinary research institute at Griffith University. G*I addresses new opportunities and major challenges in Asia and the Pacific to foster the region’s progress and leadership. G*I is dedicated to creating both societal and academic impact through research excellence, partnerships, capacity building, and engagement on strategic issues.⁠

Through its work on the Australia–Korea relationship, G*I is focused on delivering impactful research that benefits both countries across its areas of expertise.
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With the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting fast approaching in Adelaide on 1–2 September, G*I joins the network at an exciting time. The Joint Meeting will bring together senior Australian and Korean business and government leaders, providing valuable opportunities to build connections, explore new opportunities and strengthen engagement across the Australia–Korea corridor.⁠
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Welcome aboard, Griffith Asia Institute! ✨⁠
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🇦🇺🇰🇷⁠ Interested in learning more about the Australia-Korea Business Council and becoming a member? Reach out to Hayley, our Head of Memberships via email [email protected] or book a meeting directly with her 👇 ⁠
⁠https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/0e638ca494e3417d9584043a1933d32b%40akbc.com.au?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled⁠
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