2026 Immersia: From Colonial Korea to White Australia: Hoyul Kim, Australia’s First Korean International Student, 1921–1925

This seminar uncovers the life of Hoyul Kim, the first Korean international student who lived in Australia from 1921 to 1925. It sheds light on the role of the Presbyterian Church in both colonial Korean and White Australian contexts. Jay Song draws on archival research from the National Archives of Australia, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the Scotch College in Melbourne and the University of Melbourne to document Kim’s activities in Australia. She argues that, in spite of the colonial and racially motivated state barriers to international student mobility in the 1920s, Kim managed to travel to Australia and gain an overseas education. Kim’s story contributes to a little-known history of Korea–Australia relations that runs much deeper than formal state relations. Kim’s story illustrates that bilateral relations are shaped by people-to-people encounters that encompass shared values of religion and education via transnational migration.

Link to the publication: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14443058.2025.2524188#abstract 

This event is a collaboration between the ANU Korea Institute and the ANU School of Culture, History & Language for 2026 Immersia.

Please note: If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please contact the event organisers. 

This event may be photographed and recorded. The recorded material may be used to promote future ANU events and programs. By attending the event you are giving us informed consent. If you DO NOT wish to be recorded, please let ANU event staff know on the day. We will be mindful and ensure not to photograph any faces of children present.