President Lee Jae Myung (right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Oct. 29 shake hands ahead of their expanded bilateral summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
By Oh Jung Eun
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae
President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Oct. 29 held a bilateral summit and announced their launch of an "enhanced strategic partnership" in a joint media statement at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
Germany is Korea's largest trading partner in Europe and a global manufacturing power. Annual two-way trade exceeds USD 30 billion primarily in semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals.
In economy, both sides agreed to expand cooperation beyond trade and investment to industry and advanced technologies by stepping up joint research, identifying industrial projects, and raising collaboration on technology and standards. They will also boost ties in areas such as critical minerals and energy to build a foundation for confronting supply chain uncertainties.
President Lee urged attention and cooperation from the European Union (EU) to ensure that Korea receives treatment equal to that of EU member states under the trading bloc's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, calling Korea one of the EU's key partners in free trade.
In defense, the two countries will strengthen strategic communication between their defense authorities and seek early conclusion of a general security of military information agreement to solidify the institutional foundation for bilateral defense and security cooperation.
They also pledged to explore mutually beneficial opportunities for cooperation between their defense companies, drawing on their respective strengths in defense technology and industry.
On cultural and people-to-people exchanges, President Lee highlighted this year as the 60th anniversary of the arrival of Korean nurses in Germany. He praised the dedication and contributions of Korean miners and nurses who went to Germany, saying their efforts played a major role in the economic development and reinforcement of friendly ties between both sides.
Building on this historical connection, the two countries will expand cooperation in education and culture and promote exchanges and mutual understanding among youth through programs such as working holidays.
The visit by Chancellor Merz was his first to Korea since taking office and the first by a German head of state in three years. The two leaders last met in June on the sidelines of the G7 summit of the world's major economies in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.
President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Oct. 29 hold a joint news conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
cloveroh@korea.kr
