2024 Applications Closed
Read about the 2024 exchange program.
Are you a mid to senior-career Australian journalist focused on economics, trade or security and looking to broaden your international knowledge?
Journalists will also have the opportunity to investigate the Korean cultural and creative industry.
The Republic of Korea (ROK, also known as South Korea) is one of the most interesting countries in our region.
Australia and the ROK are comprehensive strategic partners with a strong bilateral relationship underpinned by shared strategic interests, complementary economies and strong people-to-people links.
The two countries share key security interests in North Asia and the Indo-Pacific, with peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific critical to the security of both countries.
The trade relationship is complementary. In 2021-22, the ROK was Australia’s fourth-largest trading partner – representing 6.5 per cent of Australia’s total trade – and Australia’s third-largest export market.
The extensive people-to-people and institutional ties between Australia and the ROK are an important component of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They have committed to enhancing collaboration across the arts, research, education, tourism, and entertainment.
For more information on South Korea, please refer to Republic of Korea (South Korea) | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).
Apply for the 2024 Australia-Korea Media Exchange and you could be meeting diplomats, ministers, defence and economic experts and personnel, business leaders, scientists, academics, journalists and others this June 30 — July 10, 2024 in Seoul and across the ROK.
This is an excellent opportunity for driven Australian journalists to enjoy unique access to some of Korea’s key organisations and personalities and build a wealth of contacts and story ideas.
Supported by the Australia-Korea Foundation, the Korea Press Foundation, and the Walkley Foundation, successful applicants of this program will have their airfares, accommodation and transfers covered, and will be well-placed to learn about Korean culture, economics, trade and security , and bring Korean stories to Australia.
ELIGIBILITY
In 2024 we are looking for Australian journalists from all media, formats and organisations, at least mid-career in experience with an interest in economics, trade or security.
HOW TO APPLY
Email james.gorman@walkleys.com and walkleys@walkleys.com with:
- A 200-word bio.
- A CV.
- A headshot.
- Three examples of published or broadcast work.
- A letter from your employer approving:
- your availability for the exchange.
- certifying the expectation you will produce at least two stories regarding the exchange upon your return to Australia.
- A cover letter (up to 500 words) outlining why you should be selected for the 2023 Australia-Korea Media Exchange. Please include ideas of how you’d share your experience: story ideas (including where they would run) and how you might document your trip using social media.
Please note:
*Broadcast journalists can either bring their own kits or hire a local stringer. If a local stringer is arranged, the journalist/company will need to cover additional costs for accommodation and transport.
*A list of approved filming locations for the program will be provided to successful applicants.
*It is encouraged successful applicants should pool resources while on the exchange.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11:59pm, 25 MARCH
2023 Australia-Korea Media Exchange
Congratulations to the six journalists selected to travel to Korea in 2023 for the Australia-Korea Media Exchange.
- Clare Armstrong (The Daily Telegraph)
- Edward Boyd (Sky News Australia)
- Sarah Dingle (ABC RN)
- Tansy Harcourt (The Australian)
- Peter Ker (AFR)
- Rachel Pupazzoni (ABC)
2019 Australia-Korea Media Exchange
Congratulations to the four journalists selected to travel to Korea in 2019 for the Australia-Korea Media Exchange. The quality of applicants was outstanding. The delegation included a diverse mix of Australian media representatives:
- Farz Edraki, features writer and producer for the ABC
- Erin Handley, digital journalist at the ABC’s Asia Pacific Newsroom.
- Andrew Hobbs, editor of Farms & Farm Machinery Magazine
- Josh Taylor, a Guardian Australia reporter based in Melbourne
2018 Australia-Korea Media Exchange
Seoul, October 2018
Four Australian journalists travelled to South Korea last October for the Australia-Korea Journalism Exchange. They met diplomats, business people, scientists, educators, journalists and others; and they also toured the DMZ and attended the Korea Press Foundation Journalism Conference 2018 in Seoul, from this October 23–30, 2018.
The 2018 delegates were:
- Elysse Morgan, host, The Business, ABC
- Eryk Bagshaw, federal political reporter, Sydney Morning Herald
- Phoebe Bowden, journalist (Press Gallery), Ten News
- Andrew Burrell, WA chief reporter, The Australian
Read a story from the delegation about their exchange experience here.
Past exchange participants:
2017
- Ariel Bogle, The Conversation
- Andrew Greene, ABC
- Su-Lin Tan, The Australian Financial Review
2016
- Angela Macdonald Smith, The Australian Financial Review
- Myles Morgan, SBS
- Phoebe Wearne, The West Australian
2015
- Clint Jasper, ABC South Australia
- Kelsey Munro, Sydney Morning Herald
- Natalie Whiting, ABC Radio
2014
- Andrew Tillett, The West Australian
- Lucy McNally, ABC
- Patrick Witton, The Big Issue
- Peter Ryan, ABC
2013
- Alex Lee, ABC
- Jason Whittaker, Crikey
- Michael Janda, ABC
Jason Whittaker said: “Our study tour of South Korea was brilliant – and not just the food. The program was packed with fascinating people; a great mix of government, business and media. In just a few days I felt like I had a good grasp of the key domestic and international affairs issues within South Korea, and a much better understanding of the mediascape and broader culture. Organisation was seamless. Importantly, along with contributing a number of stories to Crikey, I developed a broad understanding of Korean issues to feed back into my publication and share with my colleagues. I greatly appreciated the opportunity and hope other journalists have the same chance.”