German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said North Korea was threatening "freedom throughout Europe" by sending soldiers to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
After a meeting in Seoul with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Merz highlighted that Russia was supplying weapons to North Korea. The chancellor said this arrangement therefore shows how "Korea's security affects Europe's security. And Europe's security also affects Korea's security."
North Korea has boosted its military ties with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pyongyang has provided Moscow with artillery ammunition and missiles. It has also, according to South Korean intelligence services, sent about 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces. In exchange, Russia provides financial backing, military technology and security guarantees to North Korea.
Before Merz's arrival on Thursday, North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean military. At the start of his visit, Merz said he hoped that Korea would eventually be unified. The peninsula has been split along the 38th parallel since the end of hostilities in the Korean War in 1953. Merz also agreed with Lee to deepen their two nations' strategic and security ties, which includes joint military exercises and exchange of intelligence. The chancellor is expected to conclude his trip to South Korea with a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Friday.
Germany and South Korea on Thursday pledged to work together on the economy, energy and security and high-tech industries, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said. The South Korean leader made the announcement after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul. At a joint press conference, Lee told reporters that he had asked Merz for Germany's backing in securing favorable treatment for South Korea as part of the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act. The two leaders also agreed to improve bilateral ties to an "enhanced strategic partnership," Lee said.
Volkswagen (VW) reported third quarter losses of €5.8 billion ($6.5 billion) on Thursday, as it faces rising competition from China. Germany's biggest car maker had reported a loss of just over €1.07 billion in the same period last year. Volkswagen, like other car makers, has struggled to keep pace with fierce competition from China, the world's biggest car market. VW has also struggled with the transition to electric vehicles and with declining demand. Volkswagen last month warned that its 10-brand group, which includes makers such as Audi, Seat and Skoda, was facing a 10-billion-euro hit to its annual profits. The most significant hit came from Porsche, Volkswagen's luxury sports car and SUV subsidiary. Porsche, which was once a major driver of profits for the VW group, was also one of the main factors behind VW's quarterly losses in 2025. The luxury brand has been hit by a sales slump in China, US tariff policy and its electric vehicle strategy. VW announced this year that it plans to cut over 100,000 jobs across the group by the end of the decade as it tries to reduce costs. It announced on Thursday that its restructuring would cost the company 31 billion euros. The company is considering or has decided to shut down multiple German factories — including plants in Zwickau, Emden, Hanover, and Neckarsulm. "What matters now is swift and consistent implementation," Arno Antlitz, VW's chief financial officer said in a statement. "We cannot lose any time and need to act quickly and decisively."
An eight-year-old girl sustained serious injuries after she was attacked by at least one wolf at a wildlife park in Brandenburg in east Germany. The child was brought to hospital by a rescue helicopter on Wednesday. Local officials said a zookeeper had helped prevent other children from being attacked. Police are investigating how and why the attack occurred, which took place during a special program for children. Police on Thursday said their investigation was centered on a staff member who was in the enclosure with the children, a spokeswoman said. The Teltow-Fläming district administration said the incident happened before the wildlife park's regular opening hours as part of an "Animal Keeper Day" for children. The administration also said the attack had taken place in the polar wolf enclosure. "While the animals in the wildlife enclosure were being watered, the wolves kept there attacked a girl and seriously injured her," the district administration said. The zookeeper's quick action prevented "further harm to two other girls" who were also at the scene, the district added. The park will remain closed for the time being, officials said, as authorities launch a safety review at the wildlife park, which is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Berlin. Police are still probing the circumstances that led to the children being inside the enclosure. The Johannismühle Wildlife Park said it was cooperating with authorities but could not provide further details due to the open investigation. "We deeply regret the incident, and the affected family has our full support," the park said.
