Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, during his visit to Seoul, identified North Korea as a threat to Europe's freedom due to its sending of soldiers to Russia in that country's war against Ukraine. In his meeting with Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, he emphasized that security cooperation between the two countries is very important.
Threats from Military Cooperation
Merz pointed out that Russia is providing weapons to North Korea, stating that this military relationship reflects the impact of Korea's security on Europe's security and vice versa. He added that these cooperations have significantly increased since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022. North Korea has sent munitions and artillery missiles to Moscow and, according to South Korean military intelligence, has dispatched about 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces.
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In return for this assistance, Russia is providing North Korea with financial support, military technology, and security guarantees. Merz emphasized the importance of these cooperations for stability and security in Europe.
Ceasefire and Hope for Unification
Merz also expressed hope at the beginning of his trip to South Korea that eventually the two Koreas would reunite. The Korean Peninsula has been divided into two countries since the end of the Korean War in 1953. The German Chancellor referenced his experience of his country's division between East and West Germany in the second half of the twentieth century, noting that the people of the two countries suffer from a similar experience of division.
He wrote in his guestbook: "I also wish for the people of Korea to have what we experienced in Germany, namely unity in freedom." Additionally, Merz will visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the two Koreas on Friday.
Meanwhile, Germany and South Korea agreed to cooperate in the fields of economics, energy, and high-tech industries. Lee Jae-myung stated that the two countries are seeking to strengthen bilateral relations and turn them into an "advanced strategic partnership."
In this context, Merz is looking to diversify Germany's trade partners in Asia and reduce economic dependence on China. He has emphasized this during his trip to Singapore, Japan, and South Korea and aims to establish more security cooperation with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
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