Korea-China establishment of ‘enhanced strategic partnership’… “Strengthening economic and security cooperation”

President Lee Jae-myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz decided on the 29th to strengthen cooperation to jointly respond to changes in the global economic and security environment.

After holding a summit meeting at the Blue House on this day, the two leaders announced in a joint press release that they had decided to establish an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership'.

President Lee said, "We have decided to strengthen strategic cooperation in the economic and industrial sectors and expand our horizons to high-tech industries and future growth engines. We have laid the foundation to respond to supply chain uncertainty by strengthening cooperation in key minerals and energy security."

In addition, in relation to the 'Industrial Acceleration Act' being promoted by the European Union (EU), Korea requested interest and cooperation so that it can receive equal treatment with countries in the EU.

“We have decided to expand mutually beneficial and practical cooperation in the defense industry,” he said. “We will strengthen strategic communication between defense authorities and quickly pursue the conclusion of a ‘military secret information protection agreement.’”

Regarding security on the Korean Peninsula, he said, "Because Germany has suffered the pain of division, it has expressed deep sympathy for efforts to establish a peace system on the Korean Peninsula," and "we have decided to continue to cooperate for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

In addition, they added that they agreed to share opinions on major international issues such as the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the free trade order, and response to the climate crisis, and to strengthen strategic cooperation.

In addition, President Lee said, "I requested special attention to shorten the issuance period for visas and residence permits in order to further promote exchanges between the people and companies of the two countries."

The two leaders also announced a joint statement that included plans to deepen cooperation in various fields, including politics, security, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The joint statement included the following: promoting regular military exchanges and training cooperation, strengthening information exchanges, and continuing to hold defense policy working meetings on security policy and defense industry cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries.

They also agreed to jointly respond to hybrid threats and false information and deepen the exchange of opinions on security threats brought about by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms.

As a framework for strengthening security cooperation, support was also expressed for the Korea-EU security and defense partnership and cooperation programs between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Indo-Pacific partner countries.

Regarding the economic sector, they reaffirmed their commitment to an open and fair rules-based multilateral trade system, including faithful implementation of the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and expressed their determination to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

In addition, the two countries "shared a firm commitment to universal human rights, rules-based international order, freedom of navigation and safe overflight in accordance with international law," and declared, "We will protect and strengthen the multilateral system based on international law, including the international court."

He also emphasized that “disrupting maritime transportation routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb, through force, threats, or the imposition of illegal tolls or passage conditions is unacceptable as it threatens the security and prosperity of everyone, including the most vulnerable around the world.”