Yoon "Signing Military Secret Information Protection Agreement with Germany... Importance of Defense and Security Cooperation" (Update)

On the 21st, Summit Meeting with Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor... Yoon "Key Ally and Value Partner"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 21st, "We will promptly conclude the Korea-Germany Military Secret Information Protection Agreement to ensure smooth operation of the defense industry supply chain and cooperate accordingly." Both countries also issued a message of vigilance against North Korea's illegal provocations.

After holding a summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, President Yoon held a joint press conference and confirmed their commitment to security cooperation, saying, "We agreed on the importance of expanding defense and defense industry cooperation between the two countries."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands after concluding a joint press conference for the Korea-Germany summit at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 21st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

During the summit, the two leaders made it clear that they are value partners sharing universal values and key allies. President Yoon said, "Germany is an important partner in our global pivotal state diplomacy," and added, "Chancellor Scholz and I have agreed to further strengthen cooperation between our two countries in line with the changing times." Accordingly, they agreed to expand trade and investment relations into advanced industries such as hydrogen, semiconductors, bio, and clean energy.

In particular, President Yoon mentioned the 'Korea-Germany Military Secret Information Protection Agreement,' signaling an expansion of cooperation in the defense industry supply chain between the two countries through this agreement. He also conveyed a common message regarding North Korea. President Yoon stated, regarding the North Korean issue, "Our two leaders made it clear that North Korea can gain nothing from illegal provocations, and we will continuously send consistent messages to the international community while closely cooperating for North Korea's denuclearization." He added, "Chancellor Scholz expressed unwavering support for our government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and our vision for unification."

He also expressed the intention to participate in the 'Climate Club' led by Germany. President Yoon said, "We have decided to participate in the Climate Club led by Chancellor Scholz," and added, "Together with the Group of Seven countries including Germany and other like-minded nations, we will strive to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target and global carbon neutrality."

Additionally, President Yoon stated, "Both countries are manufacturing powerhouses highly dependent on foreign trade," and conveyed, "Amid increasing global economic instability, intensifying geopolitical conflicts, and the rapid restructuring of global supply chains, the two countries have agreed to strengthen their supply chain partnership."