On the evening of Thursday, May 30, AustCham Korea Secretariat members CEO Rowan Petz, Deputy Director Arnold Lee, and Senior Advisor Jacco Zwetsloot visited the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer, HMAS Sydney, during its port call at the Republic of Korea’s naval base in Busan. The visit coincided with the 2025 Maritime Defence Expo (MADEX) at BEXCO.

HMAS Sydney is currently deployed on a three-month Regional Presence Deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific, including participation in Operation Argos, supporting the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against North Korea.

During the visit, the AustCham Korea team engaged with the ship’s crew and gained insights into the Royal Australian Navy’s mission in the region. The sunset ceremony on deck provided a memorable backdrop to discussions on regional security and cooperation.

AustCham Korea appreciates the opportunity to connect with Australia’s naval presence in Korea and supports initiatives that strengthen bilateral defense and security ties.