
Agreement reached during summit in Seoul between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
South Korea and Germany agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during a Seoul summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, deepening cooperation in security, defense, and future technology.
AI-generated summary
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held bilateral talks in Seoul.
SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Germany agreed Thursday to upgrade their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, under which the two countries will deepen cooperation in security and future technology.
The agreement was reached during a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul, marking their third bilateral talks. The two last met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France in June.
"Considering that the increase in global risks and challenges ... necessitates concerted action, both sides agree to significantly intensify their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, thereby raising the level of their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership," said a joint statement released by the South Korean presidential office.
The two countries expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the area of security and defense through regular military exchanges and training cooperation, as well as information exchanges, according to the statement.
"To this end, they will continue to hold bilateral Security Policy Staff Talks between their respective defense ministries on security policy and defense industry cooperation," it said.
Both countries reiterated their commitment to concluding a bilateral agreement on the protection of classified military information and exploring mutually beneficial areas for further cooperation in the defense industry.
Additionally, the two countries expressed their commitment to regular high-level exchanges, including a foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, as well as to further expanding bilateral dialogue on cybersecurity and addressing the risks and opportunities arising from the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI).
On the economic and technology front, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, industry, future technologies and innovation, including in the automotive sector, batteries, industrial AI and robotics, by signing relevant agreements, the released statement showed.
"Both sides strive for a sustainable transformation of their key industries and are committed to leveraging their complementary strengths to secure technological leadership," it said.
Regarding Korean Peninsula issues, the countries said they "value their exchange on the shared experience of national division," underscoring their willingness to further develop their dialogue in the framework of the Korea-Germany Advisory Committee.
Additionally, the two sides shared "a common determination to contribute to stability, security and prosperity" in their respective regions, saying they "remain opposed to coercion or destabilizing action, including foreign interference."
The two sides reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, according to the joint statement.
AI outlook โ possibilities, not facts
Bilateral Security Policy Staff Talks will continue between defense ministries.
Very likely ยท Within months

After a summit meeting with President Lee Jae-myung, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Korean security is directly linked to European security and warned that North Korea's deployment of troops to the Ukraine War and Moscow's supply of weapons to Pyongyang threaten European freedom.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a summit in Seoul, agreeing to establish an Enhanced Strategic Partnership to boost cooperation in security, defense, supply chains, and future technologies.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said three oil tankers that were attempting to pass through the unauthorized southern route in the Strait of Hormuz collided with a mine and caught fire.

The National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly that it is highly likely that North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un's recent visit to China was intended to convey North Korea's intentions regarding the North Korea-U.S. dialogue to the Chinese leadership in addition to commemorating anti-U.S. assistance.

President Lee Jae-myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a summit meeting at the Blue House on the 29th and agreed to establish a 'strengthened strategic partnership.' The two countries decided to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including the economy, security, defense industry, and supply chain.

Following the summit meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, three documents were signed: an economic and high-tech partnership, an energy partnership, and a revision to the double taxation prevention agreement.