The Korea Foundation (President: Yim Sung Joon) has invited John Howard, former prime minister of Australia, to the 15th Korea Foundation Forum, which will be held at the Chosun Hotel on August 11 on the topic of “Australian-Korean Relations: A Bright Future.” The forum will begin at 7:30 AM in the 2nd floor Orchid Room of the Chosun Hotel.
In 1996, John Howard was elected the 15th Prime Minster of Australia. The victor of three more successive elections, Howard served a 12-year term, making him the second-longest serving Prime Minister of Australia. He studied law at the University of Sydney and practiced law until 1974, when he entered the world of politics as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives. From 1977 to 1983, Howard served as the Federal Treasurer of Australia; and led the Liberal Party from 1985 to 1989, as well as from 1995 to 2007.
During his term as prime minister, Howard implemented economic reforms that caused Australia’s GDP per capita to rise from 20,000 U.S. dollars to 40,000 dollars. Australia’s growth into a more prosperous nation has largely been attributed to Howard’s influence. The upcoming KF Forum is expected to comprehensively evaluate a cooperative relationship between Korea and Australia. Hopes are high that the forum will be an apparatus for deep discussion on economic and diplomatic issues that concern both nations, as well as plans for cooperation. Approximately 100 attendees, who are concerned with domestic relations, politics, and academics; or related to Australian institutions in Korea, are expected at the forum. Howard will also attend the 5th Jeju Peace Forum from August 11th to 13th.
The Korea Foundation d the Korea Foundation Forum in January 2008 in order to promote the Korean people’s understanding of global issues. Prominent international figures have been invited to the forums in order to hear these experts’ views on domestic and international situations, and to exchange opinions with them. Thus far, George H. W. Bush, a former American president; Joseph Nye, a Harvard Kennedy School professor; Colin Powell, former United States Secretary of State; Koïchiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO; and others have been invited to open the forum.
