President Moon: "Germany, We Want to Learn from Your Peacekeeping, Unification Achievement, and Integration Experience"

Meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel... Request for Interest and Support in the Korean Peninsula Peace Process

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in, who visited Rome, Italy to attend the G20 Summit, said on the afternoon of October 31 (local time) during a summit meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, "Korea wishes to learn from Germany the experience of maintaining peace before German reunification, achieving reunification, and realizing true integration after reunification."

President Moon said, "I deeply appreciate that the Berlin Initiative announced during my visit to Germany in 2017 led to North Korea's participation in the Pyeongchang Olympics, the inter-Korean summit, and the North Korea-US summit." The summit meeting was also attended by Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is a leading candidate for Germany's next chancellor. President Moon's remarks regarding the experience of German reunification came during his conversation with Vice Chancellor Scholz.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chancellor Merkel said, "I hope the friendly relations between Korea and Germany will continue and further develop." Chancellor Merkel introduced Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Scholz, who is a leading candidate for the next chancellor. Vice Chancellor Scholz said, "I am well acquainted with Korea because I served as the mayor of Hamburg," and added, "I will strive to develop relations with Korea."

President Moon congratulated Vice Chancellor Scholz, saying, "I congratulate you on the good results in the German federal election held last month," and added, "I am well aware of the close exchanges between Hamburg and Busan, and I hope to further develop Korea-Germany relations based on this special connection."

Meanwhile, Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi explained, "President Moon asked Chancellor Merkel for continued interest and support in the development of bilateral relations and the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

President Moon evaluated, "The politics of integration and inclusive leadership demonstrated by Chancellor Merkel have been exemplary for all political leaders," and added, "During her tenure as chancellor, not only Korea-Germany relations but also Korea-EU relations have made remarkable progress."

Spokesperson Park conveyed, "President Moon proposed that Chancellor Merkel visit Korea at a convenient time after her retirement, and Chancellor Merkel said she would visit if the opportunity arises, as she values the honorary doctorate degree she received in Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.