Germany reached an agreement with South Korea: Partnership decision in the field of defense industry and artificial intelligence

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, the last stop of his Asian tour.

At the meeting, which took place at a time when global risks and geopolitical ruptures increased, it was decided to expand the cooperation between the two countries.

At the joint press conference held after the meeting, Merz said, "We need a strong network of partners who share important interests and common values ​​more than ever. This also applies to security policy, economy and geopolitics. In this regard, today we are raising our relations to the level of Enhanced Strategic Partnership."

Merz, who previously visited Singapore and Japan as part of his Asian tour, pointed out that regional crises are no longer limited to a single geography.

Criticizing North Korean soldiers fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine in Donbas and Moscow providing weapons and military technology to Pyongyang in return, Merz said, "The world has really become smaller even in times of war. Korea's security directly affects Europe, and Europe's security directly affects Korea."

In the joint statement published after the summit, it was stated that relations in many areas, especially the defense industry and artificial intelligence, were raised to the level of "Enhanced Strategic Partnership" against global geopolitical risks.

In the statement, the determination to sign a bilateral agreement between the two countries for the protection of classified military information was reiterated.

It was stated that regular military exchanges, joint trainings and "Security Policy Staff Meetings" between ministries of defense will continue uninterrupted.

In the statement, it was stated that within the framework of the agreement reached between Germany and South Korea, it was decided to establish a "Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership" in the near future in order to benefit from the complementary strengths of the two countries in the chip industry.

Within the scope of the joint fight against cyber threats and disinformation, a joint will was declared to establish direct cooperation between the Korean Artificial Intelligence Security Institute and the German Artificial Intelligence Security and Safety Institute.

In the joint statement, it was stated that the two countries will carry out joint studies in the field of development and safe use of pioneering artificial intelligence technologies.

On the other hand, within the scope of the summit, the "Economic and High Technology Partnership Framework" declaration of intent was signed between the two countries, covering the fields of automotive, battery, smart production, advanced energy systems and robotics.