At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to request sharing of Germany's experience in overcoming division and achieving reunification amid efforts to ease Korean Peninsula tensions. Lee's administration has sought to resume engagement with North Korea since taking office in June, but Pyongyang has remained unresponsive. The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, during talks on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held his first in-person meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Lee explained his government's efforts to ease tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula since taking office in June, requesting Germany to share its experience in overcoming division and achieving reunification.
"There is much for the Republic of Korea to learn from Germany's experience," Lee said, referring to South Korea's official name. "We should learn about how Germany overcame division and achieved reunification, and the Republic of Korea should follow that path as well." When Lee jokingly asked if Germany had any "secret know-how" on reunification, Merz replied that no such thing exists.
Merz expressed interest in the security situations on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas, and wanted to hear South Korea's perception regarding China, as Germany ponders its strategy toward the Asian superpower. The two leaders agreed to expand bilateral economic cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and other areas.
Lee highlighted Germany's important role in European countries' recent moves to bolster defense industry capacity, urging Merz to note Korean defense contractors' interest in deepening partnerships with German companies. He also asked for Germany's continued cooperation and support. The leaders agreed to continue discussions through reciprocal visits next year.
