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

Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to South Korea

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

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

Ambassador Schmidt made these remarks during an interview with The Asia Business Daily held on May 11 at the German Embassy Residence, discussing the historical ties and future cooperation challenges between Korea and Germany. Both nations share the experience of rebuilding from the ruins of war, achieving the "Miracle on the Han River" and the "Miracle on the River Rhine." Notably, during the Korean War in 1950, Germany decided to send medical help and set up a hospital in Busan, which operated until 1959. In the 1960s, Korean miners and nurses moved to Germany, contributing to the economic rebuilding of both nations and forming a deep emotional connection.

The Ambassador noted, "Germany also experienced division, so we deeply understand the pain of division felt by Korea." He emphasized, "We managed to achieve a peaceful reunification, and Korea supported us at that time. Germany will continue to support efforts for Korea's peaceful unification."

As Korea and Germany mark the 143rd anniversary of their diplomatic relations, economic cooperation is expanding into advanced technologies and green energy. Ambassador Schmidt highlighted the upcoming Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) to be held in Seoul this October, stating, "The entire German economic business community is focusing on Seoul." He added, "Based on partnerships in hydrogen energy and renewable energy, as well as 40 years of trust built up in science and technology, companies from both nations are strengthening and further integrating their value chains."

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

Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, explains 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 cities or towns on May 1. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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

△ "Our relations began back in 1883 when the first German national, Paul Georg von Mollendorff, worked as an advisor at the Court of King Kojong, leading to the signing of our first trade agreement. Looking at major achievements, I would like to highlight three fundamental topics. First is Germany's medical assistance during the Korean War. Despite being just five years after the Second World War, Germany decided to send medical help and established a hospital in Busan, which operated until 1959. Second is our cooperation in economic rebuilding. Korean miners and nurses were dispatched to Germany starting in 1963, contributing to the Miracle on the River Rhine, and their children have now become a strong cultural bridge connecting our two nations. Third is our shared pain of division. Having achieved our own peaceful reunification with Korea's support, Germany wholeheartedly supports Korea's current peaceful unification efforts."

-Which projects is the German government currently most interested in closely monitoring regarding cooperation with South Korea?

△ "First is the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) to be held in Seoul this October. It is the largest regional business event organized by German industries in Asia, and we expect up to 1,000 business executives and political representatives to visit Korea. Second is the Korean-German Energy Partnership, which has been active since 2019, providing a framework for our discussions on renewable energy and hydrogen cooperation. Third is science and technology cooperation. Major German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institute and the Max Planck Gesellschaft, have built deep mutual trust with Korean researchers over more than 40 years. Notably, as Korea became the first country to join the EU Horizon program, our collaborative research will be further strengthened."

-What kind of synergy can be generated in the hydrogen industry and in response to the climate crisis?

△ "We are bridging research and commercial sectors through the German-Korean Hydrogen Conference. For instance, Hamburg—Germany's largest port—and the Port of Busan are partner cities exchanging very practical ideas, such as altering port structures and safety regulations to facilitate hydrogen export. Furthermore, as a highly industrialized, high-tech nation, it is vital for Korea to achieve decarbonization while maintaining its industrial competitiveness. If Germany and Korea cooperate to demonstrate a clear direction toward zero emissions, it will send a powerful signal to the rest of the world."

-South Korean companies, such as Samsung SDI, are strengthening their battery cooperation with German automakers. What factors led to these partnerships?

△ "It is because Korean companies like Samsung provide excellent, technologically superior products at a reasonable price. German cars like Mercedes-Benz incorporate Korean batteries and displays, while many Korean products rely heavily on German components inside. This is exactly how globalization should operate—identifying partners that offer the best value and long-term relationships. Long-term partnerships rely entirely on mutual trust, and German companies deeply trust their Korean partners."

-What explains Germany's strong competitiveness in industry and manufacturing?

△ "The core strength lies in our high regard for craftsmanship, a tradition tracing back to the Middle Ages that combined rigorous apprentice training with engineering and science. Merging theoretical knowledge with practical application is the foundation of Germany's industrial strength. This philosophy is driven by our vocational training system (Vocational Training), where students split their education between specialized schools and hands-on work within a company—a system we also offer in Korea through the Chamber of Commerce. This profound respect for hard work, studying, reliability, discipline, and honoring commitments is a quality that closely mirrors Korean society."

-Looking ahead to the next century, what is the most important goal for the bilateral relationship?

△ "Both Korea and Germany are medium-sized powers (middle-powers) that lack vast natural resources. What we possess is intelligence, professional education, and hard work. Therefore, we heavily depend on maintaining a rules-based, open global trading system to import raw materials and export finished goods. Currently, the U.S. is pursuing policies centered on tariffs and threats, while China implements industrial policies designed to protect its domestic market and exclusively support its own firms. In this shifting landscape, defending and saving the open trading system is a tremendous responsibility and a massive opportunity for middle powers like Korea and Germany."

-How can our two countries strengthen cooperation to address supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability?

△ "We are actively holding a security dialogue regarding supply chain security. We must collaboratively address critical challenges, such as managing the surging energy demands driven by artificial intelligence and counteracting global protectionism. Preserving multilateral institutions like the United Nations is also essential. While some claim the UN is ineffective, it remains an indispensable platform where all nations can engage on equal terms. Reaching a compromise naturally takes time, but structured multilateral dialogue is a far better path for reducing tensions."

-How should the international order function in this rapidly changing era?

△ "We must adhere to the basic principles of the United Nations, primarily the rule that nations must not attack one another, alongside an unwavering respect for human rights. Human rights are not a Western invention; the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights included prominent scholars from China, Lebanon, and India. We must focus on these shared fundamentals and collectively protect our planet, which is our only home. Furthermore, no nation-state can be 100 percent sovereign in isolation; even global superpowers like the United States and China require external assistance. Just as we overcame the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing scientific data and vaccine resources internationally, a multilateral cooperation structure must be maintained to address shared crises like climate change. That is the only viable path to reducing international tensions and securing a better future."

-Do you have any travel recommendations for Koreans planning to visit Germany?

△ "I highly advise travelers to venture beyond our major metropolises and visit smaller towns that preserve an authentic, beautifully restored medieval charm. I recommend Cologne (Koeln) on the River Rhine, an ancient trading city inhabited since Roman times that features Germany's largest Gothic cathedral. Its spectacular Carnival festival, usually held around February, offers the best opportunity to experience the joy, creativity, and passion of German people across all generations. I also highly recommend my hometown, Freiburg. It is a beautiful university city located next to the Black Forest, situated in the warmest region of Germany and famous for its local wines. Freiburg offers a fascinating blend of the past and the future—retaining a rich medieval history while hosting the highest concentration of high-tech Fraunhofer research institutes in Germany."

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

[Profile] Who is German Ambassador Georg Schmidt?

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1883, Germany and South Korea have developed a close partnership grounded in shared universal values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Germany is South Korea's largest trading partner within Europe, closely cooperating across various sectors including the economy, science and technology, and energy. The two nations share a history of economic reconstruction, famously termed the "Miracle on the River Rhine" and the "Miracle on the Han River," and are currently deepening their partnership in future strategic industries such as hydrogen energy, semiconductor supply chains, and the defense industry.
 Germany's capital is Berlin. Religion is predominantly Protestant and Catholic, and the country boasts a deep cultural heritage represented by philosophy, classical music, and advanced engineering. Active people-to-people and cultural exchanges continue every year between Korea and Germany, with direct flights operating regularly connecting Incheon with Frankfurt and Munich. The time difference is 8 hours behind Korea (7 hours during daylight saving time). According to the German Federal Statistical Office and major economic indicators for 2025, Germany has a population of approximately 84 million. The official language is German, while English is highly used in business and diplomatic settings. Germany covers an area of approximately 357,592 km², which is about 1.6 times the size of the Korean Peninsula. Located in the heart of Europe, it shares borders with nine countries, featuring a geography harmonized by northern plains and the southern Alps. As of last year, Germany ranks as the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP and serves as the locomotive of the European economy.
 Ambassador Georg Schmidt, who assumed his post as the German Ambassador to South Korea in 2023, is a career diplomat with extensive expertise in Asia and Africa. He earned his bachelor's degree in History and Economics from the University of Hong Kong and a master's degree in Far Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, cementing his reputation as a seasoned ‘Asia hand’.
 Ambassador Schmidt began his career at the Federal Chancellery in 1996, later moving to the Office of the Political State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office, gaining experience at the core of policy decision-making. He went on to build extensive field experience, serving as First Secretary at the German Embassy in Japan, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy in Mali, and Head of the NGO Cooperation Unit at the Embassy in Sri Lanka. Notably, from 2009 to 2014, he directed Germany's foreign policy as the Head of the Division for Asia, Australia, Africa, and Development Cooperation at the Office of the Federal President. He later served as the Regional envoy for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel at the Foreign Office, and as the German Ambassador to Thailand before arriving in South Korea.
 With his long-standing expertise in analyzing regional geopolitics and economics in Asia, Ambassador Schmidt is recognized as the ideal figure to guide strategic coordination and technological cooperation between South Korea and Germany amid growing global uncertainties such as the war in Ukraine and conflicts in Iran.

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