YDS 2021 in Review

by the Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030, where future contracts
would be expanded beyond traditional European partners to those in the local
region. The LAND811 project is promising, yet more progress is necessary. The path
to further collaboration can be facilitated as soon as this year, should the Hanwha
Group be awarded the far greater LAND400 project, valued at AUD$18 billion, over
the German group Rheinmetall. The LAND400 project would affirm the DoD’s
strategy and be foundational in expanding bilateral defence industry cooperation
between Canberra and Seoul. Flourishing defence ties would be conducive to more
cohesive collaboration between the two middle powers, whilst also facilitating closer
cooperation in other sectors of the bilateral relationship. We live in an era of vast
and often unforeseen change. Given the ongoing strategic competition in the Indo-
Pacific, it is vital that Australia and South Korea plan for opportunities particularly
because of their expertise in manufacturing military equipment (through the
Hanwha Group), compared to other regional partners.
The renewable energy sector stands as another vital avenue for collaboration
between the two states that has so far been underutilised. As we shift into an
international society driven by sustainable energy solutions, Australia must step out
from under the umbrella of fossil fuels and consider alternative energy avenues.
While Australia has abundant natural resources that have powered its economic
growth over the past two decades, it also possesses significant potential to thrive in
an era of renewable energy. South Korea is a like-minded partner in this effort to
deliver a carbon-free future and promote a shift to green energy. South Korea has
demonstrated this commitment by adopting a target of net-zero by 2050 and with
an ambitious private sector striving towards carbon neutrality. Despite such a
promising relationship, however, Australia has fallen behind other western
democracies by not making similar commitments. Prime Minister Scott Morrison
and Foreign Minister Marise Payne have been steadfast in their refusal to commit to
carbon neutrality, yet the issue may be one of timeframe rather than the
overarching objective. Given our abundance of fossil fuel resources, the political
power of multinational mining conglomerates and the economic benefit they
provide to the Australian economy, it is understandable - albeit dismaying - that a
commitment has not been made. As climate change continues to be a 'hot topic' in
diplomatic and political circles internationally, Australia could be risking a significant
opportunity with South Korea in working towards reducing carbon emissions by not
committing to net-zero.
"There is a need in both Canberra and Seoul to guard against
the power-based international order being driven by Beijing."
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