Professor Robert Breunig appointed 2027 Visiting Professor at Seoul National University

Professor Robert Breunig is moving to South Korea as the 2027 Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of International Studies.  

The appointment was announced by The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, at the 47th Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC) – Korea-Australia Business Council (KABC) Joint Meeting in Adelaide.  

Professor Breunig says, “I am pleased that my efforts to build bridges with tax policy experts in Korea have been recognised and seen as worthy of supporting. This position is an opportunity to take on new challenges and contribute in a meaningful way to Australian-Korean relations.” 

The Australia-Korea Foundation (AFK) said of the appointment that “Professor Breunig will help strengthen Australia- Republic of Korea (ROK) academic and cultural links through teaching, research and public engagement.” 

Professor Breunig's public outreach activities will help deepen knowledge of Australia and strengthen collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.  

“I want to develop a better personal understanding of the policy environment in Korea, particularly in the area of tax and transfer policy but also more broadly. I’m looking forward to exploring the use of administrative data sets for use in cross-national comparative research including Australia and Korea.” 

"One of my aims is to increase knowledge of Australia in Korea, and in particular, help to share policy insights and learnings from the Australian experience to inform policymaking in Korea,” he added.  

The Visiting Professor of Australian Studies was established through a partnership between Seoul National University, the AKF and Woodside Energy. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade calls it a flagship initiative designed to deepen academic and cultural connections between Australia and the ROK. 

Korea is Australia’s third largest export market and fourth largest two-way trading partner under the Korea Free Trade Agreement. 

Professor Breunig will be taking up the 12-month position in February 2027 and will remain the director of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute while in Korea.