Yoon: "Close Cooperation with Germany on Economic Security and North Korea Issues"

Yoon, Steinmeier Hold Joint Press Conference After Summit with German President
Concerns Over European Protectionism... Germany Requests Attention to Prevent Discrimination Against Our Companies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 4th, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and agreed to closely cooperate on economic security and North Korea's successive provocations.

After the meeting with President Steinmeier at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in the morning, President Yoon stated in a joint press release, "We share the recognition that global supply chain instability negatively affects the world economy, and we have agreed to strengthen economic security cooperation to establish a stable supply chain and enhance energy security."

Defining the relationship between Korea and Germany as a "core economic partner," President Yoon mentioned, "While sound trade and investment continue, cooperation is expanding into future industries such as hydrogen and digital deepening. In particular, German companies' investments in advanced technology sectors like semiconductors are increasing in Korea."

He also expressed concern about the strengthening of protectionism within Europe and urged, "As Germany is a key country in the European Union (EU), please pay special attention to ensure that there are no discriminatory measures against our companies."

Regarding the North Korean issue, President Yoon explained that Korea will closely cooperate with Germany to lead a unified response from the international community.

President Yoon emphasized, "Germany, as a country that has experienced division and reunification, can provide many lessons for resolving the Korean Peninsula issue. Our two leaders shared serious concerns about North Korea's repeated missile provocations and agreed to closely cooperate to lead a unified international response in case of further serious provocations by North Korea." He added, "We also agreed to strengthen cooperation to improve the human rights situation in North Korea."

President Yoon also conveyed that they spoke with one voice on efforts to support the peace and daily life restoration of the Ukrainian people and on strengthening partnerships for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

In the joint press release, President Yoon expressed gratitude to President Steinmeier, who visited the Halloween crowd crush memorial space set up in Itaewon that morning to pay respects, saying, "I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my condolences to the victims and bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy and deeply thank the German people for their warm condolences."

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is visiting the memorial space set up around Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 4th to pay tribute to the victims. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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