S. Korea, Germany heighten ties, boost defense cooperation

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SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Germany agreed Thursday to upgrade their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, under which the two countries will deepen cooperation in security and future technology.

The agreement was reached during a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul, marking their third bilateral talks. The two last met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France in June.

President Lee Jae Myung (R) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shake hands at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul ahead of a summit on Oct. 29, 2026. (Yonhap)

"Considering that the increase in global risks and challenges ... necessitates concerted action, both sides agree to significantly intensify their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, thereby raising the level of their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership," said a joint statement released by the South Korean presidential office.

The two countries expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the area of security and defense through regular military exchanges and training cooperation, as well as information exchanges, according to the statement.

"To this end, they will continue to hold bilateral Security Policy Staff Talks between their respective defense ministries on security policy and defense industry cooperation," it said.

Both countries reiterated their commitment to concluding a bilateral agreement on the protection of classified military information and exploring mutually beneficial areas for further cooperation in the defense industry.

Additionally, the two countries expressed their commitment to regular high-level exchanges, including a foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, as well as to further expanding bilateral dialogue on cybersecurity and addressing the risks and opportunities arising from the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI).

On the economic and technology front, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, industry, future technologies and innovation, including in the automotive sector, batteries, industrial AI and robotics, by signing relevant agreements, the released statement showed.

"Both sides strive for a sustainable transformation of their key industries and are committed to leveraging their complementary strengths to secure technological leadership," it said.

Regarding Korean Peninsula issues, the countries said they "value their exchange on the shared experience of national division," underscoring their willingness to further develop their dialogue in the framework of the Korea-Germany Advisory Committee.

Additionally, the two sides shared "a common determination to contribute to stability, security and prosperity" in their respective regions, saying they "remain opposed to coercion or destabilizing action, including foreign interference."

The two sides reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, according to the joint statement.

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S. Korea, Germany heighten ties, boost defense cooperation

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首尔，10月29日（韩联社）——韩国和德国周四同意将双边关系升级为加强型战略伙伴关系，根据该伙伴关系，两国将在安全和未来技术领域深化合作。

该协议是在韩国总统李在明和德国总理弗里德里希·默茨于首尔举行的峰会上达成的，这是两人的第三次双边会谈。他们上一次会晤是在今年6月于法国举行的七国集团峰会期间。

2026年10月29日，韩国总统李在明（右）与德国总理弗里德里希·默茨在首尔青瓦台握手，为即将举行的峰会做准备。（韩联社）

韩国总统府发表联合声明称：“鉴于全球风险和挑战的增加……需要采取协调一致的行动，双方同意大幅加强双边和多边合作，从而将双边关系提升至加强型战略伙伴关系。”

声明称，两国表示致力于通过定期军事交流、训练合作以及信息交流，深化安全和国防领域的合作。

“为此，双方将继续举行国防部之间的双边安全政策参谋会谈，讨论安全政策和国防工业合作问题。”声明中写道。

两国重申致力于缔结关于保护机密军事信息的双边协议，并探索在国防工业领域进一步开展互利合作的领域。

此外，两国还表示致力于定期开展高层交流，包括外长战略对话，并进一步扩大在网络安全领域的双边对话，以应对人工智能（AI）出现带来的风险和机遇。

声明显示，在经济和技术方面，两国同意通过签署相关协议，加强在贸易、工业、未来技术和创新领域的合作，包括汽车、电池、工业人工智能和机器人等领域。

声明称：“双方都致力于实现各自关键产业的可持续转型，并承诺发挥各自优势互补，以确保技术领先地位。”

关于朝鲜半岛问题，两国表示“重视就国家分裂的共同经验进行交流”，并强调愿意在韩德咨询委员会框架内进一步发展对话。

此外，双方还表达了“为各自地区的稳定、安全和繁荣作出贡献的共同决心”，并表示“仍然反对胁迫或破坏稳定的行动，包括外国干涉”。

双方在联合声明中重申支持所有国家的主权和领土完整。

德国总理默茨将于下周访问韩国，与李明博举行峰会。

（新闻焦点）李光耀首次访欧，扩大对欧外交接触

（第二条）李呼吁努力将韩德关系提升到“新水平”

韩国与德国加强关系，深化防务合作