Reflecting on 60 years of Academic Korea Expertise in Australia: (Missed) Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

Abstract

Korean Studies in Australia is typically seen as pure language and cultural training rather than a critical area of research and academic discipline. Key barriers for utilising the growing expertise in Korean Studies in Australia are lack of coordinated policy planning and targeted funding to support Korea-focused or Korea-Australia comparative research at tertiary level. Korean Studies and Korean language education in Australia are still insufficiently supported and resourced by State and Federal governments from primary to tertiary sectors. Moreover, the recent Jobs Ready Graduates Package has inadvertently undermined Korean language provision in Australian universities