1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with German legislator Hartmut Koschyk, who is visiting the Republic of Korea, at the request of the German legislator. They exchanged views on a range of issues, including the ROK-Germany relations; North Korea and its nuclear program; the ROK’s initiative for unification on the Korean Peninsula; and the ROK-Japan relations and history issues.

2. Minister Yun and legislator Koschyk exchanged opinions on the recent situation in North Korea and its nuclear program. Minister Yun explained the ROK government’s initiatives and policies to establish the foundation for peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula, including the one laid out in President Park Geun-hye’s speech at the Dresden University of Technology in 2014. The Minister also expressed appreciation for the roles and efforts of legislator Koschyk, who, as the Chairman of the German-Korean Parliamentary Friendship Group and the German Chairman of the Korean-German Advisory Group on the Foreign Policy towards Reunification, has made a significant long-term contribution to addressing the issue of unification on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Yun also requested his continued efforts to further enhance the relations between the ROK and Germany.

o Minister Yun also introduced the closing event of the “Eurasia Friendship Express,” to be held at the Brandenburg Gate square in Germany on July 31. As the event aims to mark the 70th year of the division of the Korean Peninsula and the 25th year of Germany’s unification, and publicly express the ROK’s wish for peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula, Minister Yun asked for the German side’s special interest and cooperation.

3. In addition, the two sides discussed the situation in Northeast Asia and the ROK-Japan relations. Minister Yun stated that Germany reconciled with neighboring countries and earned their trust by facing up to its past history and feeling deep remorse, and achieved economic development and unification, and that such exemplary efforts of Germany offer many lessons on the ROK-Japan relations. Minister Yun asked the German side to continue to play a role in this area.

4. On June 2, legislator Koschyk will also pay courtesy calls on the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Minister of Unification, and attend an ROK-Germany workshop, hosted by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Institute for Peace Affairs. He will leave the ROK on June 3.


*unofficial translation