Berlin: Senior diplomats from South Korea and Germany have pledged to collaborate closely to deliver a "united and firm" response to the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This commitment was shared during bilateral talks in Berlin on Monday, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.According to Yonhap News Agency, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun of South Korea and Thomas Bagger, the state secretary of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, expressed their deep concerns about the threats posed by the North Korea-Russia military collaboration to the security of both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. The two officials emphasized the necessity for a coordinated response from the international community and agreed to maintain close cooperation to achieve this goal.The meeting also highlighted hopes for strengthening bilateral relations between South Korea and Germany in areas such as trade, investment, advanced industries, and climate change, facilitated by continued high-leve l exchanges. During his visit to Berlin, Kim Hong-kyun also engaged in discussions with Wolfgang Silbermann, head of the foreign policy department at the Office of the Federal President, focusing on bilateral ties, the Korean Peninsula's situation, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.Additionally, Kim held a separate meeting with Heiko Thoms, state secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, to explore ways to enhance economic cooperation between South Korea and Germany. Before assuming his current role, Kim served as the ambassador to Germany, underscoring his familiarity and experience with the country.
- September 13, 2026
