By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held a telephone conversation with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on August 4, 2025.

This was their first phone call since Minister Cho’s inauguration and served as a courtesy exchange. In the phone call, they exchanged views on global affairs and ways to strengthen mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Cho noted that the new Korean administration and the second-term cabinet of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were both launched around the same time earlier this year.

He reiterated the commitment of the two leaders to deepening bilateral ties, which was reaffirmed during their phone call on June 12 and the summit meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit on June 16.

Minister Cho also expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality the Australian side extended to the Special Presidential Envoys during their visit to Australia from July 29 to 31, and looked forward to further expanding high-level exchanges and multifaceted cooperation.

Minister Wong emphasized that the Republic of Korea is one of Australia’s most important partners. She stated that, in the face of growing uncertainty in the international landscape, Australia seeks not only to deepen bilateral ties with Korea but also to respond to key global challenges in closer coordination, grounded in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

To this end, she expressed her hope to meet Minister Cho in person at an early mutually convenient time to engage in candid dialogue and further strengthen strategic cooperation.