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Australia-Korea Foundation

Australia-Korea Foundation Annual Report 1999-2000

Contents

Letter to Minister >> Introduction >> Chairman’s retrospective >> Board membership >> Bilateral relations >> Strategic plan 1998–2001 >> Australia–Korea Foundation projects for 1999–2000: Commerce, industry and tourism >> Science and technology >> Education >> Arts, media, and sport >> Special projects

Administrative overview >> Appendix 1: Order-in-Council establishing the Australia–Korea Foundation >> Appendix 2: Financial statements >> Appendix 3: Outcomes of Third Korea–Australia Forum >> Appendix 4: Members of the Board of the Korea–Australia Foundation

PROJECTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS IN 1999–2000

Arts, media and sport

ARTS

The Foundation’s visual and performing arts programs and initiatives in Korea during the reporting period provided a diverse range of activities. Highlights of the arts program are listed below:

(a) REM Theatre production of The Things That Never Were
This production, which took place in August 1999, was a cross-cultural collaboration between the Sadari Theatre in Seoul, and the REM Theatre from Redfern, in Australia. The production is an exploration of mythical and imaginary beings, superheroes and strange events, which every nation has and which form a universal language with striking similarities from culture to culture. Through the exchange, the production endeavoured to encourage both artists and audience, to enjoy and appreciate our different histories and shared future.

(b) Visit to Seoul by Australian Chamber Orchestra
AKF provided $10,000 to assist the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) visit Seoul in September 1999, as part of a broader touring program that also included Japan. The ACO is Australia’s only national orchestra and its most internationally travelled arts company. The orchestra’s players number among Australia’s finest young musicians. On the evening of Monday 13 September it gave a recital at a special dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel (the Foundation sponsored a table at the dinner), as part of the ‘Sydney 2000 One Year Out’ reception. On Wednesday 15 September the ACO gave a performance at the Seoul Arts Centre.

(c) Visit to Seoul by Hard Rain, Red Earth
A musical collaboration between Mr Kim Dae-hwan, a well known traditional drummer and four Australian jazz musicians called Hard Rain, Red Earth, took place in November 1999 in Seoul. This young Sydney-based jazz band was awarded First Prize at the 1999 Sydney Jazz Showcase, a prestigious competition sponsored by an Australian jazz radio station and Sony Music. This project was consistent with the AKF aim of presenting Australia to Korean people as a nation capable of outstanding creative and innovative achievement in cultural and artistic spheres.

(d) Ms Ahn Pil-yun’s visit to the 2000 Adelaide Festival of Arts
The attendance of Professor Ahn Pil-yun at the 2000 Adelaide Festival of Arts was noted as a most valuable opportunity to develop and promote Ms Ahn’s professional engagements in Australia, and also facilitate greater cultural exchange between the two countries. The AKF provided funding assistance for Ms Ahn towards the cost of her travel, accommodation, exhibition of artwork, performances and lectures. She also attended the festival’s ‘Artists Week’ held at the Contemporary Art Centre of the School of Art.

(e) Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra 2000 tour of South Korea
The AKF Board approved a grant of A$7500 for the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra to tour Korea from 23 June to 1 July 2000. The tour was very successful, and the manager provided a videotape of the performances to the Foundation.

(f) Korea in focus at Central Queensland University’s Multicultural Fair and Open Day
The purpose of the Multicultural Fair, held in August 1999, was to raise community awareness of the ongoing interactions (i.e. artistic, educational, business, cultural, linguistic and academic) between Australia and Korea in the Central Queensland region. Traditional Korean pottery and stone rubbings were displayed and a series of lectures and workshops, including participation and demonstration of the art of Korean pottery.

(g) Urban. Rural. Person. Plural: A Sample of Korea—Wangaratta Exhibitions Gallery
During August and September 1999 an exhibition of art by Australian artist Ms Belinda Wilson, which documented the two years, she spent travelling and working in Korea, was held at the Wangaratta Exhibitions Gallery in Victoria. It was first shown at the Australian Embassy Seoul in July 1998. The art works illustrated the cultural diversities between Australia and Korea. It was hoped that the exhibition bought an educational awareness to rural Australia that shows the developing relations between Korea and Australia.

(h) Melbourne Art Fair visit to Korea
Ms Bronwyn Johnson, Director of the Melbourne Art Fair, visited Korea in October 1999 to meet with potential new participants and to attract art collectors and dealers, to develop cultural trade.

The Melbourne Art Fair was held from 4 to 8 October, immediately after the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The art fair is a way of showcasing Korean art in Australia, promoting Australia as a creative society and encouraging cultural trade between galleries in both countries.

(i) Yvonne Boag Visiting Lockhart exhibition
Ms Yvonne Boag is a professional artist who exhibits regularly in Australia, Korea and Japan. The theme of the exhibition of 22 works is based on her experience in far North Queensland, where she visited and worked with the Aboriginal community at Lockhart River. Samsung Plaza Gallery in Pundang will host Ms Boag for a two week long solo exhibition at the end of November. She will be the first foreign artist to be shown in the gallery.

(j) The 12th Biennale of Sydney
The AKF supported the visit of an outstanding Korean artist Nam Yun-suk, to participate in the 12th Biennale, held from May to July 2000, which represented some 52 artists from 23 countries.

(k) Foundation support for Asialink programs
Artists-in-Residence Program for 1999

The AKF assisted with funding for three residencies during the reporting year in support of Asialink residencies. Artists in residence who received assistance were:

Ms Solrun Hoaas—Literature/script writing at Chungang University, February to June 1999;

Mr Martin Kwasner—Performing arts (dancer/teacher/choreographer) at Korean National University School of Dance, September to December 1999;

Mr Steve Tepper—Visual arts/crafts (Furniture residency) at Kook Min University, September to December 1999.

(l) Rushing to Sunshine documentary
Whilst in Korea on an Asialink residency, Ms Solrun Hoaass continued to explore her interest in the opening of North Korea. This documentary complements Ms Hoaass’ first documentary, Pyongyang Diary, and focuses on some of the human implications of Korea’s current ‘Sunshine’ policy with North Korea.

People at the Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival

Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival
Mr Glen Conroy, AKF Executive Officer, presents a cheque for $11 500 on behalf of the Foundation to the principal actor from
Nowhere to Hide Park Joong-hoon and co-directors of the film festival Juanita Kwok and Paul de Carvhalho.

(m) Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival
The inaugural Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival was held from 30 March to 2 April 2000. The Festival focused on new developments in Asian cinema and showcased the work of young Asian and Australian directors, addressing issues about the region. The film festival included two Korean films: The Quiet Family and a crime thriller Nowhere to Hide.

MEDIA

The Foundation has concentrated on promoting exchanges and links in both print and electronic media this year.

(a) Inaugural Australia–Korea Media Forum
Delegates in group pose at forum

Korean delegates to the inaugural Australia–Korea Media Forum included: Han Myung-kyu from Maeil Business News; Kim Ji-young from Kyung-hyang Business News; Kim Kweng-hyun from Chosun Ilbo; Kim Moon-won Chairman, Korea Press Foundation; Kim In-kyu from KBS; Kim Young-hee from Joong-ang Daily; Kim Tae-ung from Yonhap; Kim Hak-un from Yonsei University Joanging Ilbo; Lee Won-sup The Hakyoerae; Moon Myung-ho from Munhwa Ilbo (and Secretary General of the Korea Australia Foundation); Park Jong-wha from KPF; and Ryee Ju-neil from Chungang University.

The inaugural Australia–Korea Media Forum was held in Sydney on Tuesday 17 August 1999. The forum was conceived and sponsored by the Australia–Korea Foundation and the Korea Press Foundation (KPF), with the theme The role of the media in contributing to the Australia–Korea partnership in the 21st century.

The idea of the forum was first raised by the KPF some two years ago, and is one of the recommendations of the December 1998 Korea–Australia Forum. The President of the Korea Press Foundation Mr Kim Moon-won, visited Australia in August 1999 to discuss the convening of an Australia–Korea Press Forum. The venue was changed from Seoul to Australia and the meeting was co-chaired by Mr Mack Williams, Board member of the Australia–Korea Foundation and former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. The Korean delegation was led by Mr Kim Moon-won, and a group of 10 international desk chief editors and three prominent scholars.

As a cooperative effort between the AKF and the KPF, the forum gave senior editors and journalists from Korea an opportunity to meet and discuss with Australian counterparts, on the Australia–Korea partnership in the 21st century and how the media might contribute to its development. The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Alexander Downer MP, opened the forum.

Senior delegates John Howard in group pose

Prime Minister John Howard meeting with senior media delegates from Korea in his Sydney office on 19 August 1999 at the conclusion of the inaugural Australian-Korea Media Forum.

Ten senior Australian journalists responded to a ministerial invitation to attend the forum. Mr Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor of The Australian headed the Australian delegation and delivered one of the keynote addresses. AKF Board member Ms Daryl Karp was co-opted as a member of the Australian delegation to participate in round-table discussions.

The Korean delegation perceived Australia as a country blessed with beautiful natural scenery and resources and an energetic and dynamic workforce, which had great potential for unlimited advancement and growth in the future. The 45-minute meeting with the Prime Minister in Sydney was clearly the highlight of the Korean party’s visit.

The following document was produced at the conclusion of the day’s deliberations, and signed by the parties:

As a result of the inaugural Australia–Korea Media Forum held in Sydney on 17 August 1999, the Forum forwards herewith the following recommendations:

The Australia–Korea Media Forum, with the participation of senior-level journalists will be held on a rotating basis in the Republic of Korea and Australia, with the support of the Korea Press Foundation and the Australia–Korea Foundation;

In order to enhance the understanding between the two countries, an exchange program between a number of journalists from the two sides will be carried out for, say, one semester at an assigned university. The arrangements for this exchange program shall be carried out under the agreement of the two Foundations.

The two Foundations shall encourage tie-up relations between media organisations of the two countries.

The two Foundations shall urge their respective governments to ease visa requirements for stringers.

Signed on 17th August 1999

(b) KBS TV ‘Good Morning (Korea) Program’
In April 2000 the Australia–Korea Foundation provided support for a KBS television crew to come to Australia and shoot pre-Olympic footage, later shown in short segments on Korean national television in May. Mr Kim Ki-yong, Producer of KBS2 TV, together with a reporter and technical staff shot the six episodes:

Australian National Korean War Memorial dedication ceremony (including an interview with the Australian Prime Minister and Dr Brian Scott)

Taekwondo fever in Australia (in relation to the Olympics preparation)

Koreans in Australia (SMI Mr Kim Man-ki)

Things that make Sydney so beautiful

Hollywood in Australia (Sydney Fox studios)

The Royal Easter Show

SPORT

Tony Hely and Song Soon-choon in boxing pose.

The Australian Ambassador to Korea, Mr Tony Hely, is shown here with Mr Song Soon-choon, a 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Silver Medallist for Boxing.

The Foundation encourages sporting activities that promote individual and group exchanges and institutional links. This year it has again continued its support of visits and exchanges in support of the department’s Sydney 2000 Olympic Games obligations.

(a) Australia: Our Sporting Life touring exhibition
One Year Out, September 1999

This exhibition was organised by the Olympics and Sports Unit of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, supported by a number of other government agencies. In 1999 it visited the United States, Singapore, Guangzhou, Shanghai/Beijing, Tokyo/Osaka, and was in Seoul in September 1999 for the One Year Out Olympic countdown. This leg of the tour was sponsored by the AKF. It then continued onto Taipei and Jakarta, and through Europe, and was to arrive in Sydney for August 2000.

The Australian Sports Touring Exhibition is a major element of the Australian Government’s public diplomacy program in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It showcased the central role of sport in the Australian way of life through photographic images, wide-screen video displays and computer interactive databases. It also illustrates contemporary images of Australia and Australian expertise in sport, through the achievements of world-class athletes, and promotes our growing sports industry goods and services. The Foundation provided A$50 000 towards this exhibition. It was timed to coincide with a meeting in Seoul of the International Olympics Committee and was thus able to attract the attendance of some committee members.

Michelle Ford-Eriksson at podium

Ms Michelle Ford-Eriksson from Olympic communications and Gold Medallist for Swimming at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

Guests included Ms Michelle Ford-Ericksson, Gold Medallist in Swimming at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, Mr Song Soon-choon, a 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Silver Medallist in Boxing and Mr Koh Kun, Mayor of Seoul.

(b) Sydney 2000 Olympic Games support
(i) Visit to Olympic site by Korean Press
In August 1999, AKF liaised with the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and took 17 senior Korean editors and journalists to the Olympic facilities in Sydney.

(ii) Taekwondo Sparring Partner Exchange
As part of the Olympic Athlete Program (OAP) the Australian Taekwondo squad attended a Taekwondo camp in Korea earlier in the year. Four elite Taekwondo athletes were then sponsored by the AKF to come to Australia in October 1999 in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. This enabled the Australian Olympic Taekwondo team to spar with world class athletes. The exchange further developed the relationship between the Australian and Korean Taekwondo associations.

 

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