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Jeong-Woo Choi (Chairman at KABC, and Chairman, POSCO Group)

Jeong-Woo Choi

Chairman at KABC, and Chairman, POSCO Group

Graduating from Pusan National University with a Bachelor of Economics, Mr Choi has previously held the position of CEO, POSCO / Director of Value Management Center and CEO, POSCO Chemtech (POSCO Chemical). He is currently the Chairman/Co - CEO at POSCO Holdings as well as Chairman at Korea - Australia Business Council (KABC)

John Walker AM (Interim Chairman at AKBC, and Chairman EastPoint Partners)

John Walker AM

Interim Chairman at AKBC, and Chairman EastPoint Partners

John is Chairman of Eastpoint Partners Limited (Eastpoint). Established in 2020, Eastpoint provides advice and executive support to companies, governments, investors, and individuals in the areas of energy transition, infrastructure, ESG and new technologies. John is also non-executive Chairman of KREDO Holdings a BlackRock company developing substantial renewable energy projects in Korea.

H. E. Catherine Raper (Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea at Australian Embassy, Seoul, Department of Foreign Affairs)

H. E. Catherine Raper

Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea at Australian Embassy, Seoul, Department of Foreign Affairs

Ms Raper is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently headed the COVID-19 Coordination Unit. Prior to that she was First Assistant Secretary, Europe and Latin America Division. She has previously served overseas as Head of Post in Taipei, and earlier in Washington, The Hague and at the Australian Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization, Geneva.

Sanjeev Gupta (Executive Chairman at GFG Alliance)

Sanjeev Gupta

Executive Chairman at GFG Alliance

Sanjeev Gupta is the Executive Chairman of GFG Alliance, which encompasses a range of global businesses owned by his family. Born into a family of industrialists in Punjab, India, Sanjeev was educated in the UK and graduated with an MA in Economics and Management from the University of Cambridge. He founded Liberty House Group in 1992, while still an undergraduate, as a global commodities trader, growing rapidly across different geographies for over two decades.

In 2015 Sanjeev started his industrial journey buying and restarting his first steel mill in the UK. Since then he has built an international reputation as an ambitious and visionary industrialist acquiring and building major assets in metals, engineering, mining, and renewable energy spread across the world.

Hon Roger Cook (Premier; Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations at WA Government)

Hon Roger Cook

Premier; Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations at WA Government

For Hon Roger Cook BA GradDipBus MBA MLA

Premier; Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations

Hon Roger Cook MLA is the Premier of Western Australia. With oversight of the key portfolios of State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; and Federal-State Relations, Roger has been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2008, representing the seat of Kwinana.

Prior to entering politics Roger studied Arts and Public Administration at Murdoch University before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and a Master of Business Administration at Curtin University. He was active in campus politics and established the National Union of Students as its first National President.

After completing his studies Roger worked for a number of Federal and State Members of Parliament including Jim McGinty, Stephen Smith and Senator Chris Evans in policy and electorate officer roles.

Roger is passionate about Aboriginal issues and served as the Chief Executive Officer of a number of Aboriginal Land Councils, along with a communications role assisting industry and government to reach agreement with Aboriginal Native Title groups. He was previously the National President of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation.

Roger is a strong advocate for health and fitness, competing in regular triathlons, marathons and rides for muscular dystrophy along with the walk for diabetes. He is an avid supporter of the Western Force and Fremantle Dockers.

Roger Cook was born and raised in Western Australia. He lives with his wife Carly in Wellard, and has two adult children.

Rowena Smith (Chief Executive Officer at ASM)

Rowena Smith

Chief Executive Officer at ASM

Rowena Smith was appointed Australian Strategic Materials’ (ASM) Chief Executive Officer in July 2022. Prior to this, she had been ASM’s Chief Operating Officer since July 2021. Rowena’s 30 years’ experience in the mining and minerals processing sector includes a range of senior roles in strategy, operations and commercial. Prior to joining ASM, Rowena was Chief Sustainability Officer at South32, accountable for sustainability strategy, risk management and HSE business processes. Other past roles include Vice President Supply at South32, General Manager BHP’s Kwinana Nickel Refinery, and operational leadership roles within Rio Tinto’s aluminium smelting business

Hon Chris Bowen MP (via video) (Minister for Climate Change and Energy at Australian Government)

Hon Chris Bowen MP (via video)

Minister for Climate Change and Energy at Australian Government

Chris grew up in Smithfield in Western Sydney, attending Smithfield Public School and St Johns Park High School. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics. He has also a Master’s Degree in International Relations and a Diploma in Modern Languages (Bahasa Indonesia).

He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and was elected to Fairfield Council in 1995, serving as Mayor of Fairfield for 1998 and 1999. He also served as President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils from 2000 to 2002.

Chris entered Parliament in 2004 and has held a wide range of portfolios including serving as Treasurer, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Small Business.

He is currently the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Chris lives in Smithfield with his wife Rebecca, children Grace and Max and his Labradors Ollie and Toby and is a keen supporter of the GWS Giants.

H.E. Wan-joong Kim (via video) (Ambassador at Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Commonwealth of Australia)

H.E. Wan-joong Kim (via video)

Ambassador at Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Commonwealth of Australia

Ambassador Kim started his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Throughout the years, Kim has worked in countries all over the world, including Japan, Myanmar, USA, Peru and Singapore. He is the Ambassador of Korea and was previously the Consul-General of the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Senator the Hon Don Farrell (via video) (Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate at Australian Government)

Senator the Hon Don Farrell (via video)

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate at Australian Government

Don Farrell was born in Murray Bridge, South Australia, and is a fourth generation South Australian.

While studying law at the University of Adelaide, he worked as a shop assistant and later joined the South Australian Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, beginning a 32-year career working for the rights of retail and fast-food workers. Don led the union at the state and national level, overseeing the introduction of the 38-hour week and universal superannuation for retail workers.

He was elected to the Senate in 2008, and served as Minister for Science and Research, Minister for Sport, Minister Assisting on Tourism, and Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water during his six-year term in the Rudd and Gillard governments.

Following his first term in the Senate, Don spent time tending his small vineyard in South Australia's Clare Valley wine region and knows firsthand the daily challenges faced by local growers and primary producers.

He again nominated for the Senate and was re-elected in 2016, serving as the Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Minister for Sport and Tourism, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

Following the election of the Albanese Government in 2022, Senator Farrell was appointed Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.

As a proud South Australian, Senator Farrell is honoured to represent the people of his home state in Federal Parliament.

Senator Farrell lives in Adelaide with his wife Nimfa and enjoys working in his Clare Valley vineyard, spending time with his three daughters, and doting on his grandchildren.

Alexandra Siddall (Deputy Head of Mission, Republic of Korea at Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Alexandra Siddall

Deputy Head of Mission, Republic of Korea at Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dr Siddall is Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy to the Republic of Korea. Dr Siddall has previously served overseas at Australian missions in Tokyo and Moscow. She has been seconded to the Office of National Assessments.

Dr Siddall holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Queensland. She speaks Japanese, Russian and French.

Michael Newman (Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner at Investment NSW)

Michael Newman

Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner at Investment NSW

Michael is a financial industry executive and consultant who worked in Japan for 20 years with large corporate firms, and, for the past five years has worked between Sydney and Tokyo as an advisor. He has undergraduate degrees is in both Economics and Japanese Studies, a Master of Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management in 2004, and post his graduation he moved to Tokyo as a sales executive for Nikko Securities. He was an analyst for ABN AMRO working in the Aerospace, Defence and other industries between London and Tokyo between 1999 and 2003. Michael moved fully back to Japan in 2004 as Head of Sales for HSBC Securities. From 2007 to 2015 Michael was Division Director and Country Head of Macquarie Capital Securities Japan, a role he held alongside roles in Research, Client Audit and M&A. Michael covered the auto industry in Japan where he frequently visited Korea to understand the developments in the Korean auto industry, including the steel and technology sectors which were vital to understand the competitive advantages of both countries. Early in 2015 Michael returned to Australia, based in Sydney, and has continued to lead his own advisory business, Analogica KK, working largely between Sydney and Tokyo.
Michael has a very well-informed understanding of Japanese business, culture and language which he has practised for over 20 years. His major focus in recent years has been advising Japanese companies about investments in Australia, but he has also advised Australian companies regarding investments in Japan.

Gavin Lockyer (Managing Director of Arafura)

Gavin Lockyer

Managing Director of Arafura

Gavin graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance in Western Australia in 1987 and has subsequently become a member of both Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Finance & Treasury Association of Australia.

He joined Arafura in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary after previously holding several senior finance and treasury positions in global mining companies including Newcrest and Newmont following a successful international investment banking career in Australia and London.

Gavin’s diverse, global experience has provided management and leadership opportunities in a range of disciplines including; Accounting, Financial & Investment Banking, Major Resource Development & Operations, and Global Bank Treasuries. Over the past 20 years his career has exposed him to business practices in North America, Europe, and Australasia.

Ross Gregory (Chair at Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea)

Ross Gregory

Chair at Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea

Ross is Chairman of Australia Chamber of Commerce, Korea. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Urbix Inc (USA graphite processing firm). Ross has 14 years’ previous experience at, Macquarie Group in Hong Kong and Korea – battery metals and new mobility, equity derivatives, securities, renewables and energy storage systems; former Representative Director of Macquarie Securities Korea Limited and Executive Director

Julie Quinn (Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner Seoul at Austrade)

Julie Quinn

Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner Seoul at Austrade

Julie has served as Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Korea and Mongolia since January 2021, leading a team focused on attracting Korean investors to Australia and growing Australia’s goods and services trade to Korea and Mongolia. Julie had almost 30 years of Health and Biotech experience before joining Austrade, including roles at the University of Melbourne, Neurology Ireland Limited, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Victorian Cancer Biobank, Australian Phenomics Network and Bionic Vision Technologies Pty Ltd. Prior to that Julie held Marketing, Sales and Trade roles at ICI Australia and Abbot Diagnostics Division. Julie has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Biology) from RMIT, Graduate Diploma in Business (Marketing) from Monash University and Master of Engineering from RMIT.

Clare Pope (Partner at PwC Australia)

Clare Pope

Partner at PwC Australia

Clare Pope is a Partner at PwC and co-leads the Australia-Korea Desk for the Australian partnership, as well as co-leading the PwC Legal Sustainability Practice globally. At PwC, Clare advises clients in relation to inbound investment in Australian energy, resources, infrastructure, renewables and energy transition projects including wind, solar, hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and undergrounds storage, and the development of such projects. Clare is the AKBC Treasurer and co-Chair of the AKBC Critical Minerals Sub-committee.

Clare holds a Masters of Commercial Law from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia. Clare has held non-executive director roles on the ASX listed oil & gas company Entek Energy Limited, as well as roles on other not-for-profit organisations; prior to joining PwC, Clare was a partner at a US headquartered law firm, and has previously practised in London. Clare is recognised in various legal directories, including Best Lawyers, Doyles Guide and Asia Pacific Legal 500 and regularly presents at conferences.

Dr. Jinwon Kang (Research Fellow at KISTEP)

Dr. Jinwon Kang

Research Fellow at KISTEP

Dr. Kang received his Ph.D. in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Manchester.

He has published academic papers and practical reports in the area of science, technology and innovation policy. His research has focused on S&T diplomacy, technology foresight and R&D evaluation.

Before Dr. Kang joined Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) from 2005, he was a senior researcher at Korea Institute of Materials and Science (KIMS). He has worked for R&D evaluation center, ODA program team, strategy foundation division and international cooperation division and so on in KISTEP.

He was seconded to Presidential Advisory Council on Education, Science and Technology (PACEST) as a researcher and member in the specialized S&T committee from 2008 to 2010 and Korea-EU Research Center (KERC) in Brussels as a policy official from 2019 to 2021.

Currently he is working as a search fellow in the Center for International Cooperation Policy in KISTEP, which is designated as S&T diplomacy strategy center by government.

Dr. Yong-chan Park (Principal Researcher at Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM))

Dr. Yong-chan Park

Principal Researcher at Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)

Dr. Yong-Chan Park earned his Ph.D. in Energy Resources and Environmental Engineering from Hanyang University in 2000. Upon joining the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) in 2003, he initiated projects to identify suitable sites for CO2 geological storage within Korea. His subsequent research has been centered on ensuring the safe and efficient injection of CO2 into storage formations and the creation of practical and cost-effective monitoring technology.

In collaboration with CO2CRC, Dr. Park has been a research participant and project investigator since 2008, a relationship supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in Korea. Within this collaborative framework, KIGAM and CO2CRC prepare for a field trial as part of Stage 4, focusing on Storage Optimization Research at the Otway International Test Centre. This enduring partnership underscores a shared commitment to forward progress in the field of CO2 geological storage.

Prof. Eric May (CEO of Future Energy Exports (FEnEX) CRC)

Prof. Eric May

CEO of Future Energy Exports (FEnEX) CRC

Eric May is CEO of the Future Energy Exports (FEnEx) CRC and was named the 2021 Western Australian Scientist of the Year. His research team works closely with industry, conducting projects in LNG production, flow assurance, CCS and fluid property prediction. Eric was awarded the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year as part of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. In 2017, he co-established Gas Capture Technologies Pty Ltd, a spin-out company for patented technologies to capture methane from coal mines, land-fill gas and other sources. Eric was a Visiting International Professor at Ruhr University Bochum from 2017-2020 and spent 3 months on sabbatical at Technical University of Chemnitz in 2020. The FEnEx CRC is a collaboration of 32 participants from industry, government and academia with resources of $163 million to conduct industrial-scale research that supports decarbonizing LNG and growing clean hydrogen exports from Australia. Its flagship project is the Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub (KETH), which will establish a common-user, industrial-scale LNG + green hydrogen facility for demonstrating and de-risking decarbonisation and liquefaction technologies.

Dr. Hyongdoo Tom Jang (Senior Lecturer, WA School of Mines at Curtin University)

Dr. Hyongdoo Tom Jang

Senior Lecturer, WA School of Mines at Curtin University

Dr Jang is a highly skilled mining engineer and academic with 20+ years of expertise in rock excavation, rock mechanics, and geotechnical engineering. He began his engineering career in South Korea in 1998, managing numerous excavation projects in civil and mining industries.
In 2012, Dr Jang joined Curtin University, where he started his academic career at the Western Australian School of Mines. Since then, he has made significant contributions to the academic arena, focusing on imparting knowledge and conducting pioneering research, particularly in optimising mine production through the innovative implementation of automation and digitisation technologies.

Prof. Gordon Flake (CEO of Perth USAsia Centre)

Prof. Gordon Flake

CEO of Perth USAsia Centre

Professor Gordon Flake is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University of Western Australia.

Professor Flake is one of the world’s leading authorities on strategic developments in the Indo-Pacific. Having spent twenty-five years in the US foreign policy community focused on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia and now nine years in Australia’s Indian Ocean capital he is an expert on key strategic relationships in the broader Indo-Pacific. He has authored many scholarly and policy studies on security developments in the region, and their policy implications for the US and its regional partners.

Since establishing the Centre in 2014, Professor Flake has worked to build stronger international relationships between Australia, the US and the broader Indo-Pacific. He has led the growth of several major international conferences in Australia and the region; and established a range of high-level diplomatic and policy dialogues on issues of shared concern for the Indo-Pacific.

Professor Flake is a sought-after media commentator, particularly on strategic developments in the Indo-Pacific and change order issues to do with US politics and foreign policy. His work has appeared in many leading international outlets, including the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, as well as across the Australian media landscape.

Professor Flake holds a number of strategic leadership roles. He is a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) and serves on the board of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He is a member of the Australian “Friends of Vietnam” group, Co-Chair of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and a member of the international advisory board of the David M. Kennedy Centre at Brigham Young University.

Prior to joining the Centre, he was the Executive Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, an Associate Director of the Program on Conflict Resolution at The Atlantic Council of the United States, and Director for Research and Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Korean) and Master of Arts (International and Area Studies) from Brigham Young University. He speaks both fluent Korean and Laotian.

Dae Young Kim (Executive Vice President at Hanwha Aerospace)

Dae Young Kim

Executive Vice President at Hanwha Aerospace

In 2002, Dae Young Kim was appointed the role of Executive Vice President at Hanwha Aerospace. He was previously the Executive Vice President for Hanwha Defense in term for two years. He was also previous the Director of Competition program at the OECD Korea Policy Centre as well as holding the Director role in the Consumer Division at the Korea Fair Trade Commission. Dae Young holds a Masters of Law from Korea University and a Juris Scientiae Doctor (J.S.D) from UC Berkeley Law School.

Martin Ripple (CEO of ANCA)

Martin Ripple

CEO of ANCA

Martin U. Ripple is the ANCA Group CEO with a diverse spectrum of leadership experiences honed from senior positions spanning the aerospace, defence, and information and communications technology sectors. With a robust engineering background, Martin is recognized for championing successful growth strategies in the engineering and technology domains, notably the commercialisation of innovative products on a global scale.

As an accomplished engineering and technology Executive, Martin's focus has been heavily centred on the Australasian aerospace and defence industry. After serving for numerous private companies as regional Managing Director, he currently leads the ANCA Group, a global engineering champion with more than 1500 employees headquartered in Melbourne Australia. Before this, Martin served as the Managing Director of Thales Air Operations in Australia, entrusted with the comprehensive delivery of air traffic control centre products and a suite of air traffic management solutions throughout Asia and the Pacific (including Korea). His journey with Thales commenced after a rich tenure with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), where he amassed a vast portfolio working on high-profile aeronautical projects in both the commercial and defence divisions. Earlier in his career, Martin held a pivotal role in Maschinen-Turbinen-Union's (MTU) senior management team in Vancouver, Canada. This was after inaugurating his professional journey at Mercedes-Benz in 1994 within the passenger car division.

A testament to his academic prowess, Martin secured his degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from the University of Hannover (Germany) in 1995. This accomplishment came after a notable service with the German Air Force. Beyond his corporate accolades, Martin is an aviation enthusiast, holding an active pilot's licence and relishing the experience of flying light aircraft.

Richard Cho (Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia)

Richard Cho

Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia

Richard Cho graduated with a Bachelor of International Marketing from The University of Newcastle and has had a variety of senior leadership roles. Currently the Managing Director, Hanwha Defence Australia, Mr Cho has also held the positions of Managing Director at Global Defence Industries Ltd, Director at Beacon and Former Vice President of Business Development & Strategy, Hanwha Defence International.

Bill Paterson PSM (Director of AUSTRALIA KOREA BUSINESS COUNCIL)

Bill Paterson PSM

Director of AUSTRALIA KOREA BUSINESS COUNCIL

Mr Paterson has held senior positions in the Australian Government with responsibility for counter-terrorism, international strategic and security policy, politico-military affairs, intelligence and regional issues, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

From 2013 to 2016, he was Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), dually accredited to North Korea and Mongolia. Mr Paterson was Australia's representative on the United Nations Command (UNC) for Korea and worked closely with US forces Korea (USFK), positioning Australia as a key security partner to both the US and ROK. He led the campaign to deliver the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2013, and worked closely on resources trade issues.

From 2008-13, he was Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism and Head of the International Security Division in Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), undertaking frequent missions in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, the US and Europe, and working closely with Australian agencies and the federal-state national CT committee.

Mr Paterson was earlier Australian Ambassador to Thailand (2004-08), and led Australia's disaster response to the 2004 Asian tsunami. Before that, he was Head of the Southeast Asia Division in DFAT in 2003-04.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, Mr Paterson was appointed Head of the Australian Government's Anti-Terrorism Task Force. He subsequently became Head of the Government's Iraq Task Force (2002-03), planning and implementing Australia’s involvement in the Iraq campaign.
He served as Chief of Staff and Principal Adviser to the Foreign Minister in 2000.

Mr Paterson was Assistant Secretary (Asia) in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1998-99, during both the Asian financial crisis and East Timor crisis, advising the Prime Minister on APEC, trade policy and regional issues.

Mr Paterson was Minister in the Australian Embassy in Tokyo from 2005-07.

He worked on global intelligence issues for the Office of National Assessments and was for four years ONA's representative to the US intelligence community in Washington. He also served as Senior Analyst in the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) in 2017-19.

Mr Paterson has had long-term postings in Dhaka, Baghdad, Vienna, Washington, Tokyo, Bangkok and Seoul.

He is a Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and is a member of the executive of the Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC).

In 2003, he was awarded the Public Service Medal and in 2005 the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal.

Mr Dukgeun Ahn (Minister for Trade at Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Government of the Republic of Korea)

Mr Dukgeun Ahn

Minister for Trade at Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Government of the Republic of Korea

Mr Dukgeun Ahn, Minister for Trade in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Republic of Korea) graduated with a Bachelor of International Economics from Seoul National University before earning a Ph.D in Economics(majoring International Trade Policy and Theory)at The University of Michigan and attending The University of Michigan Law School. He has held academic positions including Professor, Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS),Dean of International Affairs, SNU as well as public appointments including Commissioner, Korea Trade Commission, Member, National Economic Advisory Council and Chairperson, Civilian Advisory Committee on Commercial Negotiations, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Se Ho Lee (Vice President, Head of Food Material Resources Division at Lotte International Australia)

Se Ho Lee

Vice President, Head of Food Material Resources Division at Lotte International Australia

See Ho Lee was Manager of New business development division from 2005 to 2007. He was head of SCM in the Fisheries Division from 2007 to 2016 and Head of the Food Material Resources Division from 2016.

Eugene Cha (Head of Oceania at CJ CheilJedang)

Eugene Cha

Head of Oceania at CJ CheilJedang

Eugene Cha is the head of Oceania at CJ CheilJedang, a major South Korean conglomerate operating in diverse industries such as food manufacturing, food service, bioscience, entertainment, media, retail, and logistics. Prior to joining CJ, she forged a successful career with Nestlé, where she built a proven track record of leading high-profile strategic projects for the company's prominent brands, such as KitKat, Maggi, demonstrating cross-cultural leadership and cross-functional expertise. To give some examples, she led the regional development and built cross border business of KitKat in Asia, leveraging the popular “made in Japan” product ranges. She developed a global strategy that has been instrumental to building and nurturing B2B business of the company.

Alongside her corporate achievements, she served as an Adjunct Professor at Ritsumeikan University in Osaka, Japan, and EU Business School in Geneva, Switzerland, sharing her knowledge and expertise in the field of international marketing and commercial endeavors while nurturing future leaders in the FMCG industry.

Sang-Hoon Lee (Executive Vice President at POSCO International Corporation)

Sang-Hoon Lee

Executive Vice President at POSCO International Corporation

Sang-Hoon graduated from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea and began his career at Daewoo including manager of Daewoo Corporation Sydney office in Australia. With a career spanning over three decades, in his current role, which he has held since January 2023, Sang-Hoon serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Agro & Industrial Materials Group at POSCO International Corporation. His role encompasses the strategic oversight of key business functions, where he continues to drive innovation and growth.

Dr. Yooni Kim (Vice President Clinical Services at Novotech)

Dr. Yooni Kim

Vice President Clinical Services at Novotech

Dr. Yooni Kim is the Global Vice President, Head of Clinical Services at Novotech, Australia headquartered Contract Research Organization since 2022. In this role, she’s heading Clinical Operations, Regulatory Start-up, and SMO departments of Novotech where’s operated in Asia-Pacific, US, and EU. Prior to this role, she was Executive Director of Asia Operations that led Novotech’s Asia regional capability in 2016-2021. Under her leadership period, Novotech achieved quantum jump of the growth financially and operationally in Asia Region. She has about 25 years of experience in clinical research field in CROs, pharmaceutical company, and academic research institute. She has a broad range of experience in Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Project Management, Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and Data Management for Clinical Trials Operations. Dr. Kim majored in pharmacoepidemiology from College of Medicine, Seoul National University, and a qualified pharmacist in South Korea.

Sang-Kun Bae (Vice President at The Federation of Korean Industries)

Sang-Kun Bae

Vice President at The Federation of Korean Industries

As the Vice President of The Federation of Korean Industries, Sang-Kun Bae provides strategic leadership, fosters collaborations between industries, and champions initiatives to promote economic growth and innovation. He was previously the Vice President of the Korean Economic Research Institute from 2014 to 2017. He completed a bachelors degree at Yonsei university and then graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Ph.D in Economics. His dissertation focused on the Financial System, Inflation and Growth.

Juik Cho (Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings)

Juik Cho

Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings

Juik Cho is a leader renowned for his extensive contributions to business development and innovation in the energy sector. With a foundation in Western Studies from Seoul National University, Kim's professional journey took a decisive turn in 1992 when he joined POSCO Holdings, a global leader in the steel industry. In 2022, Kim's unparalleled expertise and dedication culminated in his appointment as Executive Vice President of the Hydrogen Business at POSCO Holdings.

Louise Clunies-Ross (Executive Director of Australia-Korea Business Council)

Louise Clunies-Ross

Executive Director of Australia-Korea Business Council

Louise has recently joined the Australia-Korea Business Council as Executive Director and prior to this has worked at Asialink Business and Austrade in helping businesses in Australia succeed internationally.

Louise has extensive experience working in international business development across the resources, energy, health and pharmaceutical, education and retail sectors, among others. After moving back to Perth, she was most recently a Senior Economic Development Officer at the City of Joondalup, where she supported local businesses looking to expand internationally. Prior to this, she was responsible for developing and implementing Asialink’s Business strategy to assist NSW-businesses develop capabilities in Asian and Indo-Pacific markets. She has also held a number of overseas-based roles including in China, Malaysia, and Italy, and speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay.

Louise holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical), both from the University of Western Australia. She was also the inaugural awardee for the Beryl Wilson Austrade Scholarship for Women in International Business.

John Hopkins (Managing Director and CEO of Export Finance Australia)

John Hopkins

Managing Director and CEO of Export Finance Australia

John Hopkins is Export Finance Australia’s Managing Director & CEO. With more than 25 years’ experience in the finance, corporate and government sectors, his international career has been focused on risk, legal and operational roles. Prior to joining Export Finance Australia, John held various senior management positions at Westpac, Goodman Group and National Australia Bank in Sydney, London and New York. During this period, he advised on a broad range of transactional and corporate matters, including major financings, capital raisings, domestic and cross-border governance, regulatory and compliance issues.
John joined Export Finance Australia in 2012 and played a central role, both as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer, in overseeing the expansion of Export Finance Australia’s mandate and the delivery of complex financing transactions in support of Australian business and key government policy objectives.
John has degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney.

Ki Ho Han (Chair of National Defense Committee of National Assembly & Third Term Congressman at Republic of Korea Government)

Ki Ho Han

Chair of National Defense Committee of National Assembly & Third Term Congressman at Republic of Korea Government

Han Ki Ho presently serves as the Chair of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly of Republic of Korea. His current standing as a third-term Congressman and within the political arena, Han Ki Ho is a prominent member of the People Power Party, holding the esteemed position of Member of Congress. Moreover, Han Ki Ho holds the influential role of Chair of the Korea-Australia Parliamentary Group. Han Ki Ho has served as Commanding General (Commander) of the 2nd Infantry Division within the 5th Corps.

Tony Kiernan AM (Chair at Pilbara Minerals)

Tony Kiernan AM

Chair at Pilbara Minerals

Mr Kiernan is a former solicitor with extensive experience gained over 35 years in the management and operation of listed public companies. As both a lawyer and general consultant, he has practiced and advised extensively in the fields of resources and business generally. He was appointed as Non-Executive Chair of Pilbara Minerals in July 2016. He is also currently the Non-Executive Chair of Genesis Minerals Limited, Chair of the Fiona Wood Foundation which focuses on research into burns injuries, and a member of the Order of Australia. Mr Kiernan was formerly Non-Executive Chair of Saracen Minerals (Sept 2018 to Feb 2021) and NT Minerals Limited (April 2021 to March 2023) and a Non-Executive Director of Northern Star Resources (Feb 2021 to Nov 2021) and Dacian Gold Limited (Sept 2022 to Feb 2023).

Kyungsub Lee (Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings)

Kyungsub Lee

Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings

Kyungsub Lee is a Korea University graduate, where he earned both his Bachelor and Masters of Business Administration degrees. Lee's ascent in the corporate world reached a significant milestone in March 2022, when he assumed the prestigious role of Executive Vice President at POSCO Holdings. As the Head of the LiB Materials Business Team at POSCO Holdings, Lee has been a driving force behind the organisation's efforts in the field of Lithium-ion Battery (LiB) materials.

Prof. Heejin Lee (Professor of Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University)

Prof. Heejin Lee

Professor of Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University

Professor Heejin Lee is a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies. He has a multidisciplinary background: a B.A. in business administration and a M.A. in sociology from Seoul National University, and a Ph.D. in information systems from the London School of Economics. Before joining Yonsei, he was a faculty member at the University of Melbourne, Australia and Brunel University, UK.

He was the president of the Korea Association of International Development and Cooperation (2017-2018) and served as a working committee member of the Committee for International Development Cooperation in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2012 to 2016. He is also the Director of the Centre for Australian Studies at Yonsei University and a board member of the Korea-Australia Foundation.

His areas of research include Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) and standardization/innovation in developing countries.

Joo Un Park (Vice President/CFO at Doosan Fuel Cell)

Joo Un Park

Vice President/CFO at Doosan Fuel Cell

Joo Un is a distinguished professional with a dynamic background in business, law, and public service. Joo Un pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at Yonsei University, earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Boston University Law School and a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard University. He passed the 46th Public Officer Qualification Exam in 2002 which then led to Joo Un’s appointment as Undersecretary at the Presidential Office in 2003. Joo Un is currently serving as Vice President and CFO at Doosan Fuel Cell.

Roger Parker (Joint Managing Director of EG Funds Management)

Roger Parker

Joint Managing Director of EG Funds Management

Roger is a joint managing director of EG Funds Management, which is one of Australia’s leading real estate funds management groups. Roger leads the capital raising function at EG as well as being a senior member of EG’s Investment and Executive Committees. EGFM has over $5 billion in assets under management plus a development pipeline of close to $4 billion. The Group has a track record of realising leading investment performance for domestic and international institutional investors.

Roger has held senior positions at Lend Lease, Colonial First State, and Investa Property Group. He has experience managing property funds and mandates ranging from AUD $400 million to over AUD $2.0 billion while achieving index-leading performance in his positions.

Over the course of his career, Roger has been directly responsible for equity capital raisings exceeding AUD $4 billion and capital transactions of assets across domestic and offshore investment sectors totalling over AUD $3.5 billion. He brings over 30 years of experience in real estate funds management, having worked across both Australia and the UK.

Jaekil Ryu (Head of Team, Strategies and Planning Team 2 at Korea Zinc)

Jaekil Ryu

Head of Team, Strategies and Planning Team 2 at Korea Zinc

Jaekil is responsible for the company’s global renewable energy and hydrogen development projects. He worked with Sun Metals Corporation, a zinc refinery in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia, as a superintendent and a senior accountant for 6 years before moving to Korea Zinc. He has been responsible for planning and managing overall financial budgeting for the company’s projects and has also experiences in financial modelling and strategic analysis for project feasibility.

Prior to joining Korea Zinc in 2010, he has 7 years of experiences in accounting and procurement in Sydney’s pharmaceutical research and dental solution companies.