Germany–South Korea relations (; ) were established in the 1950s and play a vital role in the foreign policy of both countries today.
Today, Germany and South Korea are the world's third- and 12th-largest economies, respectively, and are bonded through strong economic, cultural, and political cooperation. Germany has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Berlin, an embassy office in Bonn and a consulates-general in Frankfurt and Hamburg.
Historical background
The Korean state of Joseon first established diplomatic relations with the German Empire under the Germany–Korea Treaty of 1883 which remained in effect even after in 1905.Korean Mission ; excerpt, ", November 22, 1905, declares: 'In bringing this agreement to the notice of the powers having treaties with Korea, the Imperial Government declares that * * * they will see that these treaties are maintained and respected, and they also engage not to prejudice In any way the legitimate commercial and industrial interests of those powers in Korea'."
In 1955, West Germany officially recognized South Korea as a sovereign state.Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea: Germany
Present situation Since the German reunification of 1990, much effort has been undertaken by both countries to improve diplomatic relations with each other. In the mid-2000s, the Germany–Korea Treaty of 1883 was renewed by both countries and was officially put into effect on December 19, 2008, as a form of commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the original treaty.Beziehungen zwischen der Republik Korea und Deutschland, Foreign Office (Germany) (in German)
On December 20, 2012, the German chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Park Geun-hye on her appointment as President of South Korea and invited her to make an official visit to Germany. Both politicians stressed the importance of furthering and strengthening the "traditionally very good ties" between the two countries.Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung , Foreign Office (Germany) (in German) Merkel has also vowed to assist in the potential challenges of any future Korean reunification, since Germany underwent a reunification itself.
On March 7, 2016, the Ministry of National Defense of South Korea and Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the German Ministry of National Defense to discuss ways to strengthen military cooperation, including regularization of military cooperation meetings between the two countries. According to the memorandum of understanding, the two countries agreed to hold regular military cooperation meetings and deepen and develop friendly cooperation relations and share their experience in military innovation.
In 2023, Germany and South Korea marked 140 years of diplomatic relations. As of 2022, the volume of trade between the two countries was about $33.6 billion, an increase of 34% from 2011.
Education
Some high schools in Germany adopt Korean language as a formal elective. As of 2022, South Korea was the fourth most popular destination for German students.
High-level visits
High-level visit from Germany to South KoreaThe Chancellor's [Helmut Kohl's] Meeting with Korean President Kim Young-Sam on Tuesday, 2 March 1993 in Seoul - Wilson CenterGerman President Roman Herzog And South Korean President Kim In Seoul, 1998-09-15 (photo) - Bridgeman ImagesGerhard Gerhard Schroder to wed Korean - Korea JoonAng DailyGerman President Rau And South Korean Foreign Minister Choi Honour Guard In Seoul, 2002-06-27 (photo) - Bridgeman ImagesGerman Chancellor Scholz to visit Seoul on May 21 - Yonhap News AgencyGerman president arrives in South Korea - DW NewsGerman president to pay respect to victims of Itaewon crush during S. Korean visit - Yonhap News Agency CultureSouth Korea, Germany to sign information pact to boost defence cooperation - Reuters Chancellor Helmut Kohl (1993) President Roman Herzog (1998) Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (2000) Chancellor Johannes Rau (2002) President Horst Köhler (2010) Chancellor Angela Merkel (2010 & 2021) President Joachim Gauck (2015) President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2018 & 2022) Chancellor Olaf Scholz (2023) High-level visit from South Korea to Germany When Park spoke, everybody cried' - The Korea TimesS. Korea tried to have nuclear bombs in 1980s: declassified papers - The Korea TimesAddress by President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea, Lessons of German Reunification and the Korean Peninsula - Le MondeEvaluating President Park Geun-Hye’s Foreign Policy in its 1st Year - The Asian Institute for Policy StudiesFull text of Moon's speech at the Korber Foundation - The Korea Herald President Park Jeong-hee (1964) President Chun Doo-hwan (1986) President Kim Young-sam (1995) President Kim Dae-Jung (2000) President Roh Moo-Hyun (2005) President Park Geun-Hye (2014) President Moon Jae-in (2017) Resident diplomatic missions Germany has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Berlin, an embassy office in Bonn and a consulates-general in Frankfurt and Hamburg.
See also Foreign relations of Germany Foreign relations of South Korea Indo-Pacific Strategy of South Korea Germany–North Korea relations Koreans in Germany References