South Korea and Germany have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to an ‘enhanced strategic partnership,’ with plans to broaden cooperation in advanced industries and future growth sectors while deepening defense and security ties.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the expanded partnership in a joint statement following their summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday. Both leaders highlighted growing strategic alignment and mutual solidarity between the two countries.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Lee described the summit as a significant milestone in shaping the future of South Korea-Germany relations. He said both countries had agreed to establish an enhanced strategic partnership grounded in mutual trust and cooperation.
The two leaders also pledged to substantially strengthen bilateral and multilateral collaboration, citing rising global risks and challenges, alongside shared opportunities, as reasons for closer coordination.
Lee said South Korea and Germany had agreed to strengthen defense and security ties and expand practical, mutually beneficial cooperation in the defense industry. The two countries also pledged to accelerate efforts to conclude an Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military Information. According to Lee, they will enhance strategic communication between their respective defense authorities to establish a stronger institutional framework for bilateral defense and security cooperation.
The joint statement also emphasized regular military exchanges, expanded training cooperation and improved information sharing. Lee further noted growing interest among South Korean defense manufacturers in establishing long-term partnerships with German companies.
Lee stated South Korea and Germany had agreed to strengthen economic and industrial cooperation, with an expanded focus on advanced industries and future growth sectors.
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy are scheduled to sign a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Framework for an Economic and High-tech Partnership on Friday morning.
The agreement aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, industry, emerging technologies and innovation, covering sectors such as automobiles, batteries, industrial artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, advanced energy systems and robotics.
In their joint statement, the leaders described South Korea and Germany as trusted partners with complementary strengths in semiconductors. They agreed to advance cooperation through a semiconductor ecosystem partnership, which is expected to be finalized in the near future. Lee also said he had sought Germany’s support to ensure South Korean companies receive treatment equivalent to that of European Union member states under the bloc’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act.
Both countries committed to renewing their energy partnership agreement, expanding policy and technology exchanges on renewable energy and power grids. The renewed partnership will also support joint research to accelerate the energy transition and secure a stable supply of clean energy.
The two sides signed a protocol amending their double taxation agreement. According to Lee, the amendment will establish a fairer and more transparent framework for bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
The summit coincided with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Seoul for the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, which is being hosted in the South Korean capital for the first time since 2007.
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