South Korea and North Korea Announce Military Secret Information Protection Agreement... Strengthening Semiconductor Cooperation Between the Two Countries (Comprehensive)

Summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the 21st... Confirming 'Key Ally'
Yoon "Bilateral investment... Expanding into advanced industries like hydrogen and semiconductors"
Scholz "Important to reduce China dependence while promoting Korea-Japan cooperation"

South Korea and Germany have decided to cooperate on defense industry supply chains through the signing of the 'Korea-Germany Military Secret Information Protection Agreement.' The expansion of defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries is set to accelerate, and their trade relations will also broaden into advanced industries such as hydrogen, semiconductors, bio, and clean energy. In particular, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his intention to pursue cooperation with South Korea and Japan to reduce dependence on China, mentioning the economic situation with China.

President Yoon held a summit with Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and held a joint press conference, stating, "We agreed on the importance of expanding defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries," summarizing the two countries' positions on security and economic cooperation.

This summit took place during Chancellor Scholz's visit to Korea on the occasion of attending the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. It is the first time in 13 years that a German chancellor has visited South Korea since former Chancellor Angela Merkel visited for the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in 2010, and the first official bilateral visit by a German chancellor in 30 years since then-Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1993.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who arrived at the Seoul Yongsan Presidential Office on the 21st ahead of the Korea-Germany summit held at the presidential office.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Before the summit, Chancellor Scholz visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and urged North Korea to halt ballistic missile test launches. According to foreign media, Scholz said at the site that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests are a "threat to regional peace," showing that the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains dangerous.

During the subsequent summit with President Yoon, the two leaders confirmed their willingness to cooperate in various fields including security and economy. Above all, the two leaders clearly stated that they are value partners sharing universal values and key allies. President Yoon said, "They are an important partner in our global pivotal state diplomacy," adding, "Chancellor Scholz and I agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in line with the changed era environment," and "We agreed to expand trade and investment relations between the two countries into advanced industries such as hydrogen, semiconductors, bio, and clean energy."

In particular, President Yoon said, "We will promptly conclude the Korea-Germany Military Secret Information Protection Agreement to ensure smooth operation of the defense industry supply chain and cooperate accordingly." This means that through defense and defense industry cooperation, the two countries aim to address global economic instability and geopolitical conflicts, strengthening their supply chain partnership amid the global supply chain restructuring.

The two leaders also confirmed their commitment to cooperate on North Korea's denuclearization. President Yoon stated, "The two leaders made it clear that North Korea can gain nothing from illegal provocations and will continuously send consistent messages to the international community, closely cooperating for North Korea's denuclearization." Chancellor Scholz also said, "I clearly understood that North Korea's illegal weapons development and nuclear weapons development pose a great threat to the security of the Republic of Korea," and explained, "I am also well aware that North Korea's development of various missiles, such as ballistic missiles, threatens both South Korea and Japan." He emphasized, "We will participate in South Korea's efforts for irreversible and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea."

Economic cooperation will expand. It will broaden into advanced industries such as hydrogen, semiconductors, bio, and clean energy. President Yoon specifically mentioned semiconductors, saying, "Both South Korea and Germany have international competitiveness in automobile manufacturing, so we are finding common ground to strengthen cooperation in the semiconductor sector that improves the quality of these automobiles."

When asked by reporters about the South Korean government's support for semiconductors, Chancellor Scholz replied, "We will especially cooperate with South Korea in the production of electric vehicles and batteries," adding, "There are many innovative companies in South Korea in this sector. Therefore, I hope South Korea will make many investments in this sector in Germany."

Moreover, Chancellor Scholz drew attention by expressing the position that "it is important to cooperate with a plan to reduce dependence on China" regarding relations with China. Scholz said, "The important issue is that while China has the desire to achieve economic growth, we must also clearly prepare an economic plan," and "it is important to reduce dependence on China by promoting cooperation with South Korea and Japan on the same level."

The South Korean government's position to participate in the 'Climate Club' led by Germany was also revealed. President Yoon said, "We have decided to participate in the Climate Club led by Chancellor Scholz," adding, "Together with major G7 countries including Germany and other like-minded countries, we will strive to achieve the Paris Agreement 1.5-degree target and global carbon neutrality."

Cooperation between the two countries on the Indo-Pacific strategy will become more detailed. President Yoon said, "The Indo-Pacific strategies of South Korea and Germany designate each other as important cooperation partners," and "We will discover specific cooperation projects by region and theme between the two countries and realize the Indo-Pacific strategy together." Chancellor Scholz also said, "I highly value the partnership with Indo-Pacific countries," and revealed that they shared opinions on Russia's invasion war. He continued, "We will continue to maintain sanctions against Russia and participate in efforts to minimize the serious impacts caused by the Russian war."

Additionally, the two leaders delivered a common message regarding support for Ukraine. President Yoon said, "We will continue solidarity and support for Ukraine so that the Ukrainian people can quickly find peace and normalcy," and Chancellor Scholz also emphasized, "We actively support Ukraine's efforts to defend the country," adding, "We will actively support Ukraine as much as necessary."

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