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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-12 Daily Xml
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Korean Community

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:52): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak about the active and vibrant Korean community of South Australia. According to the data collected by the Australian government, there is some evidence of the presence of a small number of Koreans in Australia from as early as 1920. After the Korean War, between 1950 and 1953, many orphaned children were adopted by Australian families. The relaxation of immigration restrictions in the late 1960s provided the first opportunity for a larger number of Koreans to enter Australia.

It is interesting to note that only 468 Korean-born migrants were recorded at the time of the 1971 Census. Since then, the 2011 Census shows that 74,538 South Korean-born people live in Australia. More than 50 per cent of Korean-born people living in Australia have arrived in the last 10 years. South Australia is very fortunate to have a very passionate Korean community here who are working hard to contribute greatly to add a rich dimension to our multicultural landscape.

As the shadow parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs, small business, trade and investment, it is a great privilege to work with so many wonderful leaders and successful members of the Korean community in our state. In the last two years I have attended and spoken at various events, including the Korean Culture and Food Festival and the opening of the trade seminar by the Overseas Korean Traders Association.

Last year at the 9th Korean Festival, the Korean community held an important commemoration ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in the Korean War. Upon the breaking out of war on the Korean Peninsula, Australia was the second country after the US who declared the dispatch of troops to South Korea to protect freedom and sovereignty against the communists in the north. Australian soldiers fought to earn victory in the battles of Gapyeong and Mayang Mountain. Their courage and sacrifice resulted with the participation of 17,000 soldiers. Sadly, 340 lives were lost and 43 were never found.

I recall His Excellency Mr Kim Bong-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, who was at the 2013 Korean Festival, pay tribute to Australia and its people, particularly Korean war veterans. The ambassador highlighted in his speech that the long friendship established during the Korean War marks the foundation of the strong Australia-Korea relationship that exists today.

I had the pleasure of meeting ambassador Mr Kim again at the Overseas Korean Trade Association conference earlier this year. He informed me that Australia and Korea together have built a strong and close partnership in the Asia-Pacific region. Two-way trade between the two economies reached $33 billion. Australia provided more than 40 per cent of resource energy consumed in South Korea. In turn, South Korea's investment in Australia in 2012 was worth $2 billion which suggests that Korea is Australia's third-largest foreign investor and Australia is Korea's fourth-largest foreign investment destination.

The Korean War ended some 60 years ago. Let us recognise and acknowledge that the strength and resilience of the Korean people has helped them to rise out of the ashes to transform themselves and turn Korea into the great country it is today. I would like to pay special tribute to some wonderful and very hardworking community leaders who are making outstanding contributions and longstanding commitments to the Korean community and to South Australia. They are:

Mrs Kerry Lewis (in Korean her name is Ms Kyung ok Jung), President of the Korean Chamber of Commerce of South Australia and immediate past president of the Korean Community of South Australia.

Mr Jae Heon Ham, the current President of the Korean Community of South Australia, and his committee.

Reverend Kwang Shik Moon, Pastor of the Korean Presbyterian Church of Adelaide.

Dr John Kim, Overseas Korean Traders Association.

Mr Jonathon Hwang, Director of RAON magazine.

Mr Hwang is an exceptionally young and energetic entrepreneur, and RAON magazine is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. Congratulations to all the leaders and community members who make a great contribution to South Australia.

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