In our first 2025 interview, we fly again to South Korea to meet Sang Ho (Arnold) Lee, Deputy Director at the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea), a peak body representing Australian and Korean business interests.

Many of us, including myself, were born overseas but call Australia home. The same goes to many Asian-Americans in the USA. For example, the Korean diaspora in the US is 7 million compared to 160,000 in Australia.

Due to our dual identity, many also seek to retrace their heritage by going back to the ‘motherland’. I call it a holy grail to getting to know ourselves and our cultures, both home and away.

Despite the challenges of being an ex-patriate in South Korea, I have noticed that more and more of us are pursuing this ‘holy grail’, and that’s when I got in touch with Arnold (Sang Ho) Lee.

Arnold represents the Australian business community’s interests in South Korea and acts as a connecting bridge with the Korean counterparts as a Deputy Director of AustCham Korea. But he also offers some insights into what it’s like living in South Korea as a Korean-Australian and tips for his peers in similar circumstances.

I am excited to expand the scope of our interview series from export and business to broader social, political and cultural aspects.

Let’s unpack Arnold’s story, journey and vision.

My journey has been one of both professional and personal discovery.

To give you a general background of myself, my family and I migrated to Australia during the IMF crisis in Korea when I was just 10 years old. I later majored in construction management before beginning my career as an estimator and project manager for a construction company in Sydney

Throughout my career, however, I have had the opportunity to explore various paths, particularly in international trade and investment, during my time at KOTRA Sydney, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.

As a Korean-Australian, I think the key pivoting moment for me was realising how much potential there is in creating stronger business ties between Australia and Korea. Fast forward, joining AustCham Korea allowed me to work at the intersection of business, government, and trade, helping companies navigate opportunities in both markets.

It has been incredibly rewarding to contribute to this space and support businesses looking to expand their presence in the foreign markets.

In Korea, I believe soft skills play a huge role in professional success.

Simply greeting people properly, always carrying a smile, and working with an ownership mindset—treating your work as if it were your own business—already puts you ahead. These are the fundamentals of building trust, especially in traditional Korean corporate environments, where relationships and loyalty play a big role in overall performance.

The key to blending in was not about changing who I am but about understanding the nuances of Korean business culture and finding ways to bring value within that framework.

As a representative of AustCham Korea, conversations with foreign businesses often circulate about navigating the Korean market effectively and identifying where AustCham can add value through advocacy, insights, and strategic connections.

I believe many companies rely on credible market insights and extensive business networks to mitigate risks, capitalise on opportunities, and make well-informed decisions.

AustCham Korea is more than just a business network—like you said, it is a community that helps all members connect, share values, and promote their products and services. We connect our members with key people, like government officials and business leaders, and provide valuable insights to help them establish their brand in the Korean market.

Our membership is not limited just to Australian or Korean companies. We welcome businesses of all sizes, including global firms, SMEs, and startups that have an interest in the Australia-Korea bilateral relationship. Whether you are an Australian company expanding into Korea or a Korean company looking at opportunities in Australia, we help make those connections and create real value.

“Success in a foreign country requires a perfect set of conditions.”

Many people may believe that they need to be fluent in the language, have the right connections, or fully understand the corporate culture before they can thrive. But I personally believe success is about recognising your value, showing up, and taking that first step. Moving to Korea wasn’t about fitting into a rigid system—it was about identifying what I could contribute and where I could create opportunities.

I guess the same applies to AustCham Korea. Some may view it as just a networking platform, but in reality, we’re actively driving business opportunities, advocating for our members, and helping them navigate and establish themselves in a fast-moving market. Just like any individual, a business's success is when people understand the value and the opportunities that the business brings and that’s exactly what we help them do in the marketplace.

“Be adaptable, but also know your unique values.”

For me, being a Korean-Australian professional has meant embracing a bi-cultural perspective that is crucial in today’s globalised world. The ability to collaborate across two very different work cultures, navigate through diverse consumer behaviours, and continuously evolve as a person has been the most rewarding aspect of my journey so far.

If I am even qualified to give such advice to another professional looking to live and work abroad, I would say that adaptability is key. Always be prepared for shifting cultural nuances in the workplace—whether in hierarchy, communication styles, or business etiquette. In the end, opportunities are only recognisable to those who actively seek them, embrace setbacks, stay open to learning and never become complacent.