Mertz's trip to South Korea: "We know how painful it is to live in a divided country"

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) The trip to South Korea is the last stop of Mertz’s Asian tour. On Thursday (October 29), German Chancellor Mertz and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced that the relationship between the two countries has risen to a deep strategic partnership. When talking about Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Mertz pointed out that partners with common interests and values are more important than ever: "This applies to security policy, economics and geopolitics."

Mertz said, "We are closely connected because we have all experienced firsthand the trials of geopolitical tension and division. We know how painful it is to live in a divided country."

Mertz revealed that he will go to the demilitarized zone on the border between South Korea and North Korea to communicate with local people. He said, "South Korea's security is related to Europe's security, and Europe's security also affects South Korea's security. This is obvious. For example, when North Korean soldiers fight against Ukraine in the Donbas region, this constitutes a threat to freedom throughout Europe; and Moscow provides weapons to Pyongyang, which will also bring corresponding consequences." He concluded that the world is becoming "smaller", even in times of war.

EU-ROK cooperation is a truly successful example

According to a joint statement issued by the two countries, Germany and South Korea plan to strengthen information exchanges in the field of security and defense. Both countries hope to contribute to the stability, security and prosperity of their respective regions and their surrounding areas. The statement said that Germany and South Korea opposed violence and destabilizing behavior, including foreign interference. South Korea has had tense relations with North Korea, which is backed by China and Russia, for years.

Mertz said that both Germany and South Korea are democracies with preventive capabilities and firmly believe that only a rules-based international order can ensure sustained prosperity. He called the free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea signed 15 years ago a "real success story", with about 99% of bilateral tariffs eliminated. Since 2011, bilateral trade has more than doubled.

Chancellor Merz also announced a new framework agreement in Seoul, calling it "the basis for cooperation in cutting-edge technologies." The two sides plan to cooperate in the semiconductor industry, and President Lee Jae-myung has confirmed South Korea's participation in the German Digital Summit to be held in Berlin next year. In addition, the two parties will cooperate on artificial intelligence safety issues.

South Korea has been one of Germany's most important economic partners in Asia for many years. South Korea's chip manufacturing occupies a leading position in the world. With the vigorous development of artificial intelligence, the importance of chips will further increase. Berlin's strengthening of cooperation with South Korea is also to reduce its dependence on China.

After visiting South Korea, Mertz's Asia trip also came to an end. Before arriving in Seoul, Chancellor Merz visited Japan and Singapore. Representatives from industry, technology, energy and defense accompanied Chancellor Merz on his trip to Asia.