Australian veterans of the Korean War regularly travel to the ROK as part of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, sponsored Revisit Korea Program. Approximately 17,000 Australian troops served under UN command (1950-56) and 340 Australians died during the Korean War. The Australia–ROK relationship was strengthened by Australia's participation in the UN Commissions on Korea (beginning in 1947) and in the Korean War (1950-53). Today, his images of everyday Korean life, clothing and customs form a valuable part of Korea's documentary history. Australian photographer George Rose travelled the length of the Peninsula in 1904 and photographed the country and people. The first recorded contact between Australia and Korea took place in 1889, when missionaries from Australia landed at Busan. The most recent National Assembly election was held on 15 April 2020, where the Democratic Party won a majority. Several extraordinary sessions are usually held each year.

A regular legislative session, limited to 100 days, is convened once a year.Įxtraordinary sessions, limited to 30 days, may be convened at the request of the president or at least 25 per cent of the Assembly members. The current National Assembly includes 253 members elected by popular vote, with the remaining 47 seats distributed proportionally among political parties according to a second, preferential ballot. Legislative power is vested in the unicameral National Assembly, comprising 300 members elected for a four-year term. On, Yoon Suk Yeol of the People Power Party was inaugurated as the 20th President of the ROK. The president is limited to serving a single five-year term. The president is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president appoints senior public officials, including the prime minister (with the approval of the National Assembly), ministers (who are not members of the National Assembly) and the heads of executive agencies. The president holds authority over all executive functions of government, within the constraints of the constitution. Under the ROK's presidential system, power is shared by three branches: the executive (headed by a president), the legislature (a single-house National Assembly) and the judiciary. Political overview Government and administration The CSP establishes the foundations of enhanced bilateral cooperation under three pillars – strategic and security economic, innovation and technology and people-to-people exchange. During the visit former Prime Minister Morrison and President Moon elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). On 12-15 December 2021, former ROK President Moon Jae-in travelled to Australia on a state visit, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the ROK. In 2021-22, ROK was Australia's fourth-largest trading partner and third-largest export market. People-to-people and institutional linksĪustralia and the Republic of Korea (ROK, also known as South Korea) are comprehensive strategic partners with a strong bilateral relationship underpinned by shared strategic interests, complementary economies and strong people-to-people links.

Australian major exports