German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed in Seoul to elevate bilateral ties to an enhanced strategic partnership. Merz warned that North Korean troop deployments to Russia threaten European security, while both nations expanded cooperation across advanced industries and defense.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Seoul on Thursday for a bilateral summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, capping off a three-nation tour of East Asia that included stops in Singapore and Japan. The two leaders signed a series of agreements at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, formally upgrading their diplomatic relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership amid intensifying global challenges and shifting geopolitical alignments.
The summit unfolds against the backdrop of deepened military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. South Korean intelligence estimates that North Korea has sent roughly 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, alongside significant shipments of artillery ammunition and missiles. In exchange, Western governments and Seoul officials warn that Moscow is providing financial backing, security guarantees, and advanced military technology.
Chancellor Merz Links North Korean Troop Deployments in Ukraine to European Security
Speaking at a joint press briefing following their talks, Chancellor Merz argued that the war in Ukraine and security on the Korean Peninsula are inextricably bound together. He pointed directly to North Korean soldiers participating in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
This becomes tangibly clear when, for instance, North Korean soldiers fight against Ukraine in the Donbas, thereby threatening freedom across all of Europe.
Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, via Anadolu Ajansı
The world has truly become small – even in times of war,
Merz observed, adding that the outcome of the war will shape the broader security architecture across both Europe and Asia. The two leaders previously met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in June, and their discussions in Seoul marked their third meeting since Merz took office as the head of the German government in his first bilateral visit to South Korea and the first bilateral visit by a German chancellor in three years.
President Lee expressed gratitude for Germany’s diplomatic alignment and confirmed that the two governments plan to conclude a bilateral agreement on the protection of classified military information. Furthermore, both sides agreed to deepen their ties in security and defense through regular military exchanges and training cooperation. Just hours before Merz touched down in Seoul, North Korea launched approximately ten short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean military.
Economic and High-Tech Pacts Signed at Cheong Wa Dae
Beyond defense and intelligence sharing, the summit established concrete economic frameworks. Germany remains South Korea’s largest trading partner in Europe. The leaders adopted a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Framework for an Economic and High-tech Partnership designed to safeguard critical supply chains and diversify trade.
- Expanding industrial collaboration in automobiles, advanced batteries, and semiconductors.
- Deepening joint initiatives in industrial artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, robotics, and quantum technology.
- Strengthening supply chain security for critical minerals and clean energy systems.
Corporate leaders from both nations attended the discussions, including Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-sik, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, and HL Group Chairman Chung Mong-won. The German business delegation featured Siemens CEO Roland Busch, who also chairs the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, alongside Diehl Defence owner Markus Diehl and Mahle CEO Arnd Franz.
Chancellor Visits DMZ as Defense Firms Seek Partnerships
The German chancellor’s itinerary concludes on Friday with a scheduled visit to the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the Korean Peninsula.
While Seoul proposed new diplomatic talks with Pyongyang last week, North Korea has not indicated any willingness to open negotiations. President Lee and Chancellor Merz are set to continue coordinating their strategic policies as bilateral defense manufacturers explore joint ventures and long-term partnerships.
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President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed to elevate the two countries’ bilateral relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership during their summit in Seoul on Thursday.