JOHANNESBURG — President Lee Jae Myung requested German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to share the European nation’s expertise with overcoming division and attaining its reunification throughout their talks on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in South Africa on Saturday.
Lee made the remarks as his administration has sought to renew engagement with North Korea and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula since taking workplace in June. Pyongyang has remained unresponsive to Seoul’s repeated dialogue overtures.
“There’s a lot for the Republic of Korea to study from Germany’s expertise,” Lee stated, referring to South Korea’s official identify. “We should always find out about how Germany overcame division and achieved reunification, and the Republic of Korea ought to observe that path as nicely.”
When Lee jokingly requested whether or not Germany had any “secret know-how” on reunification, Merz replied that no such factor exists.
Merz stated South Korea and Germany have maintained a robust bilateral relationship, and expressed his hope that cooperation between the 2 nations will additional strengthen.
The German chief additionally stated that he’s within the safety conditions on the Korean Peninsula and in its surrounding areas. Furthermore, he wished to take heed to South Korea’s notion relating to China, as Germany is pondering over its personal technique on the Asian superpower.
Through the talks, the 2 leaders agreed to additional develop bilateral financial cooperation in vitality, vital minerals and different areas, Lee’s workplace stated in a launch.
Lee identified that Germany is enjoying an necessary position within the latest strikes by European nations to bolster their protection business capability, calling for Merz’s consideration to Korean protection contractors’ curiosity in deepening partnerships with German firms.
He additionally defined the Korean authorities’s efforts to ease tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, asking for Germany’s continued cooperation and assist by sharing its expertise with reunification, in accordance with the workplace.
Throughout their first in-person assembly, the 2 leaders agreed to proceed discussions via reciprocal visits subsequent 12 months.
