By UN Journal Kayla Lee

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Dr. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag, on March 26. They exchanged views on Korea-Germany relations as well as regional and global issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Minister Cho welcomed Dr. Strack-Zimmermann’s first visit to Korea in 24 years and noted that bilateral relations have further developed through robust high-level exchanges held on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. 

He also expressed gratitude to the German Bundestag for its interest in and support for strengthening bilateral ties, as could be seen from its adoption of the “Resolution on Strengthening German-Korean Value Partnership and Building an Unwavering Future” in October last year.

Foreign Minister Cho underscored that North Korea is continuing threatening rhetoric and provocations and posing a grave threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in Europe and beyond through its illegal military cooperation with Russia. 

He stressed that all possible efforts must be made through continued close cooperation between the two countries to send strong messages to North Korea, cease its military cooperation with Russia, and foster adherence to UN Security Council resolutions. 

Dr. Strack-Zimmermann expressed satisfaction with ever-closer Korea-Germany relations and with her visit to Korea as a meaningful opportunity to deepen her understanding of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Minister Cho explained the Korean government’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with the G7 and NATO amid the deepening confrontation between liberal democratic and authoritarian states and the growing linkage between the security situations in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. 

Dr. Strack-Zimmermann shared Foreign Minister Cho's view and affirmed that she will actively contribute to the enhancement of Korea-Germany relations, including in the fields of defense and security.

The two sides exchanged in-depth views on mutual interests such as the Korea-U.S. alliance, Korea-Japan relations, Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, the situation in Northeast Asia, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.