Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said on the 22nd that Germany and France are trusted partners that share South Korea's commitment to free trade and a rules-based international order.
Speaking at the opening of a joint dinner hosted by the German and French chambers of commerce in Korea at a Seoul hotel, Han said the two countries have "supported free trade and a rules-based international order and shared the values of openness and innovation." She added that "cooperation between Korea and the European Union is extremely important as Korea navigates between the United States and China."
Han noted that APK 2026, the largest Asia-Pacific event held by the German business community, will take place in Seoul next month. "I hope it becomes a valuable opportunity for Korean and German companies to open a path to greater growth through new investment and cooperation," she said.
She also described this year as a significant one, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. "The scope of cooperation is expanding significantly, from artificial intelligence, space, bio and science and technology to partnerships between universities," she said. Han pledged that the government would "make every effort to cooperate so that the investments and ventures of German and French business leaders lead to greater results in Korea."
