SEOUL: South Korea and Germany have affirmed their commitment to bolster economic and security cooperation amidst ongoing global uncertainties following a summit between their leaders in Seoul on Sunday.
Olaf Scholz, the first German chancellor to visit Seoul in three decades, held talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol during the summit.
After the discussions, President Yoon announced that both countries had agreed to deepen cooperation “in line with the changing times” by expanding trade and investment ties, particularly in high-tech sectors such as hydrogen, semiconductors, biotechnology, and clean energy.
Yoon stated, “South Korea and Germany decided to strengthen the partnership in supply chains amid intensifying global economic instability and geopolitical conflicts” during a joint news conference.
The summit’s agenda encompassed a wide range of topics, including climate change and security policies in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula.
Prior to the summit, Chancellor Scholz visited the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas.
Relations between South Korea and Germany
Having witnessed the precariousness of a situation where peace and security are significantly threatened, Scholz expressed his belief that the relationship between South Korea and Germany should be strengthened based on their experiences of division. He highlighted the importance of closer ties between the two nations.
The leaders agreed that Pyongyang gains nothing from its “illegal provocations” and committed to working closely towards the denuclearization of North Korea.
South Korea, the ninth-largest arms exporter globally, has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and sold tanks and howitzers to Poland. However, it maintains a policy of not supplying weapons to active conflict zones.
While no specific new plans were revealed, President Yoon stated that South Korea and Germany would continue to stand in solidarity with and support Ukraine.
He also held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, where Yoon pledged additional non-lethal aid to Ukraine at Zelensky’s request, including demining equipment and ambulances.
The summit between South Korea and Germany marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing collaboration in various sectors, reflecting the shared commitment to address global challenges and foster mutual prosperity.
