Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun met with Dr. Thomas Bagger, State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, on March 12 and exchanged views on bilateral relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and regional and global affairs.
Vice Minister Kim noted that bilateral relations have further developed on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany last year. He expressed hope to further broaden the horizons of cooperation with Germany, Korea's largest trading and economic partner in Europe, not only in trade and investment but also in areas such as climate change and high-tech industries. State Secretary Bagger shared Vice Minister Kim’s view and said both sides should make active efforts together for the further development of bilateral ties.
Pointing out that North Korea's continued provocations, nuclear and missile program development, and military cooperation with Russia are posing grave threats to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, both sides agreed to continue close coordination to block North Korea's circumvention of UN Security Council sanctions, cease its military cooperation with Russia, facilitate its denuclearization and improve its human rights situation.
Meanwhile, State Secretary Bagger debriefed the scoping mission’s recent visit to North Korea, and said that Germany will continue its communication with Korea on this matter.
Vice Minister Kim said that as a Global Pivotal State, Korea seeks to expand its contribution to international cooperation, expressing hope to work closely with Germany, a member of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Group of Seven (G7), in the process. In response, State Secretary Bagger said Germany highly appreciates Korea's contribution to the international community and hopes to further strengthen its value-based partnership with Korea.
Vice Minister Kim and State Secretary Bagger also exchanged views on regional and global affairs such as the situation in Northeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific strategy, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
