More than Old Friends? Narrative in Australia's Relationship with Korea. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robertson, Jeffrey
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of politics & history. Volume 63:Number 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Political science -- Periodicals; Australia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Australia -- History -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1111/ajph.12320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0004-9522

Abstract

Abstract : Attempts to come to terms with Australia's relationship with South Korea routinely emphasise material dynamics, such as volume and value of trade, military exchange and security cooperation, or formal diplomatic engagement. This study focuses instead on the nuances of persuasive appeal in "stories", which comprise a key component of the broader narrative of Australia's relationship with South Korea. I undertake a rhetorical analysis of three key stories conveyed at all levels of official foreign policy communication. I find the Australian narrative seeks to endow the bilateral relationship with authority, establish a sense of similarity and commitment, and invokes indebtedness and reciprocity. While such representations are significant to the broader bilateral relationship, a key challenge here concerns the extent to which these representations are genuinely shared and resonant depictions of Australia‐South Korea relations.