The Korea Foundation and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) co-organized the 2019 Oceania Next Generation Policy Experts Forum in Melbourne, Australia, on April 11.

Launched by the Korea Foundation in 2015 to nurture Oceanian experts in Korean issues and promote understanding about South Korea’s policy, the Oceania Next Generation Policy Experts Network program consists of forums and study tours to South Korea. Under the program, the third forum was held this year with the attendance of 13 young policy experts from Australia and New Zealand. The participants discussed peace and the future of the Korean Peninsula and cooperation between South Korea and Oceania.

Speakers from the Korean side included Professor Chung Ku-youn of Kangwon National University, Professor Choo Jaewoo of Kyung Hee University and Dean Seo Jung-soo of Keimyung Adams College. Those from the Oceanian side included Executive Director Simon Draper of the Asia New Zealand Foundation; and Executive Director Melanie Thornton of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

In addition to the forum, the Korea Foundation organized the performances of Korean b-boying and traditional Korean music groups in cooperation with the South Korean diplomatic missions in Australia. Featuring Fusion MC and Dongrak Art Group, the performances were held in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in April 6, 9, and 11, respectively, to introduce Korean culture to the Australian people.