[Meeting the Ambassador to Korea] "Protecting Multilateral Trade Is a Heavy Responsibility and Opportunity for Korea and Germany"

Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea

Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, stated, "Since signing our first trade agreement in 1883, Korea and Germany have maintained a very special relationship," adding, "Both countries share the commonality of having grown into industrial powerhouses despite a lack of natural resources, thanks to professional education and diligence."

Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the German Embassy residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Ambassador Schmidt made these remarks in an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the German ambassador’s residence on May 11th, discussing the historical bonds between Korea and Germany and future areas for cooperation. Korea and Germany share the experience of achieving the “Miracle on the Han River” and the “Miracle on the Rhine” in the aftermath of war. In particular, Germany dispatched medical teams to Korea during the Korean War, establishing a hospital in Busan, and in the 1960s, Korean miners and nurses went to Germany to contribute to the economic reconstruction of both countries, forming a deep emotional connection.

Ambassador Schmidt said, "Germany also experienced division, so we understand very well the pain Korea feels from being divided." He continued, "We achieved peaceful unification, and Korea supported us at the time," adding, "Germany will continue its efforts to support Korea’s peaceful unification in the future."

As Korea and Germany mark the 143rd anniversary of diplomatic relations, their economic cooperation is now expanding into advanced technology and eco-friendly energy sectors. Ambassador Schmidt said, "The entire German business community is paying close attention to the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), which will be held in Seoul this October," and added, "Alongside partnerships in hydrogen and renewable energy, companies from both countries are strengthening their value chains based on the trust built over 40 years in science and technology."

The following is a Q&A with the German Ambassador.

Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, is explaining the Maibaum during an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The Maibaum refers to the tall decorated pole erected in the center of a city or town on May 1st. Photo by Jo Yongjun

-This year marks the 143rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Germany. Could you highlight the beginnings and major achievements of this relationship?

△In 1883, the relationship began when Paul Georg von Möllendorff, a German, served as an adviser to Emperor Gojong, leading to the first trade agreement. I would like to point out three major achievements. First is Germany’s medical support during the Korean War. Although it was right after the end of World War II, Germany established and operated a hospital in Busan until 1959. Second is cooperation in economic reconstruction. Korean miners and nurses were dispatched to Germany and contributed to the “Miracle on the Rhine,” and their children have become strong links connecting the two countries today. Third is the shared experience of division. We achieved peaceful unification, and we now support Korea’s efforts for peaceful unification.

-What current projects is the German government closely monitoring in its cooperation with Korea?

△First is the ‘APK’ to be held in Seoul this October. It is the largest event organized by German businesses in Asia, and about 1,000 businesspeople and politicians are expected to visit Korea. Second is the “Korea-Germany Energy Partnership,” ongoing since 2019, which discusses cooperation in renewable energy and hydrogen. Third is cooperation in science and technology. Major German research institutes such as Fraunhofer and Max Planck have built trust through over 40 years of collaboration with Korean researchers. In particular, Korea’s participation as the first country in the European Union’s Horizon program will further strengthen research cooperation.

-What kind of synergy do the two countries create in the hydrogen industry and in addressing the climate crisis?

△The two countries are connecting research and business through the “Korea-Germany Hydrogen Cooperation.” For example, Hamburg, Germany’s largest port, and Busan Port are partner ports, exchanging practical ideas such as restructuring port infrastructure for hydrogen exports. Also, as a technologically advanced and industrialized country, it is crucial for Korea to maintain industrial competitiveness while achieving decarbonization. If Germany and Korea cooperate to set a direction for zero carbon emissions, it will send a strong signal to the world.

-Korean companies such as Samsung SDI are strengthening battery cooperation with German automobile manufacturers.

△This is because Korean companies, including Samsung, offer excellent products at reasonable prices and possess outstanding technology. German cars, such as Mercedes-Benz, are equipped with Korean batteries and displays, and many German components are also found in Korean products. This is the nature of globalization. For long-term partnerships, trust is essential, and many German companies have deep trust in their Korean partners.

-What is the secret to Germany’s strengths in defense and industry?

△It is thanks to a spirit of craftsmanship that values the dignity of work. The apprenticeship and practical training system, which has continued since the Middle Ages, is combined with engineering and science. Germany’s vocational training system emphasizes practical as well as theoretical knowledge, which is the foundation of German industry. The attitude of studying hard, keeping promises, and emphasizing discipline is also very similar to Korean society.

-What is the most important objective for bilateral relations as we look toward the next century?

△Korea and Germany are middle powers with limited resources. What we have are professional education and diligence. Therefore, we must maintain an open global trade system. Currently, the United States is pursuing a tariff-driven policy, and China is implementing industrial policies that protect its domestic market and support only Chinese companies. In this situation, maintaining a rule-based open trade system is both a heavy responsibility and an opportunity for Korea and Germany as middle powers.

-How can the two countries jointly respond to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability caused by blockades in the Strait of Hormuz?

△We are conducting security dialogues on supply chains. We must work together to find solutions both for how to respond to the surge in energy demand caused by artificial intelligence (AI) and how to deal with protectionism in certain countries. Multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations (UN) are also important. Even if reaching a compromise takes time, it is better for all countries to engage in dialogue on equal terms to ease tensions.

-What direction should the international order take in this rapidly changing era?

△We must return to the basic principles of the United Nations. The fundamental principle that countries must not attack each other and the respect for human rights are at the core. Human rights are not a Western invention; experts from diverse countries such as China, Lebanon, and India participated in drafting the Declaration of Human Rights, making it a universal value of humanity. We should reflect on how we treat our one and only precious planet, Earth.

Also, no country can insist on 100% sovereignty. Even powers like China and the United States need assistance and cooperation from other countries. Just as we overcame the virus during COVID-19 by sharing vaccines and information, countries must maintain multilateral cooperation structures that involve sharing information and finding compromises through specialized agencies in the face of common crises such as climate change. That is the only way to ease tensions and move toward a better future.

-Do you have any travel recommendations in Germany for Koreans planning a trip?

△I recommend not only visiting major cities but also exploring smaller towns. “Cologne” along the Rhine is a traditional trading city with Roman-era ruins and a grand Gothic cathedral. Especially around February, the carnival festival offers the best opportunity to experience the passion and creativity of Germans, as people of all ages join in the festivities. I also recommend “Freiburg,” which is my hometown. It is the warmest city in Germany, famous for its wine, and is an attractive university town where medieval history and advanced research institutes coexist.

Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

<Who is Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea>

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1883, Germany has shared universal values with Korea such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and has been Korea’s largest trading partner in Europe, cooperating closely in a wide range of fields including economy, science and technology, and energy. The two countries share a common history of economic reconstruction, known as the “Miracle on the Rhine” and the “Miracle on the Han River,” and in recent years have deepened their partnership in future strategic industries such as hydrogen energy, semiconductor supply chains, and the defense industry.

Berlin is the capital of Germany. The main religions are Protestantism and Catholicism, and the country boasts a deep cultural foundation represented by philosophy, classical music, and cutting-edge engineering. There are active exchanges of people and culture with Korea every year. Direct flights between Incheon and cities such as Frankfurt and Munich are operated year-round. The time difference is 8 hours behind Korea (7 hours during daylight saving time).

According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office and major economic indicators for 2025, Germany’s population stands at approximately 84 million. German is the official language, and English is widely used in business and diplomatic settings. Germany’s land area is about 357,592 square kilometers, roughly 1.6 times the size of the Korean Peninsula. Located in the heart of Europe, it borders nine countries, and its geography is characterized by northern plains and the southern Alps. As of last year, Germany remained one of the world’s top three economies by nominal GDP and serves as the driving force of the European economy.

Appointed as the German Ambassador to Korea in 2023, Georg Schmidt is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in Asia and Africa. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from the University of Hong Kong and a master’s degree in Far East Asian Studies from SOAS, University of London, making him an expert in Asian affairs.

Ambassador Schmidt began his career at the Federal Chancellery in 1996, then worked in the Parliamentary State Secretary’s Office at the Federal Foreign Office, gaining experience at the heart of policy-making. He served as First Secretary at the German Embassy in Japan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in Mali, and Head of NGO Cooperation at the Embassy in Sri Lanka, accumulating practical diplomatic experience. Notably, from 2009, he served for five years as Head of Asia, Australia, Africa, and Development Cooperation at the Office of the Federal President, overseeing Germany’s foreign policy.

Afterwards, he served as the Federal Foreign Office’s Special Envoy for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel, then as German Ambassador to Thailand, before being appointed to Korea. Ambassador Schmidt is recognized as the right person to lead strategic cooperation and technological collaboration between Korea and Germany amid various geopolitical uncertainties, such as the Ukraine war and the Iran conflict, thanks to his long-standing expertise in analyzing Asian affairs and economies.

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