Overview
- The joint summit in Seoul on Thursday saw President Lee Jae Myung and Chancellor Friedrich Merz issue a joint statement formally upgrading relations to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
- The leaders pledged deeper defense cooperation that includes regular military exchanges, closer communications between defense authorities, and a commitment to swiftly conclude an Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military Information.
- They signed a protocol to amend their double‑taxation agreement to make cross‑border investment fairer and more transparent and hosted a state‑level business dinner with about 60 executives to boost commercial ties.
- A Framework for an Economic and High‑tech Partnership will see a Joint Declaration of Intent signed imminently to expand cooperation on semiconductors, batteries, industrial AI, renewables, power grids and robotics.
- The leaders framed the upgrade as a response to rising global security risks and supply‑chain vulnerabilities, noting closer Russia–North Korea ties and the war in Ukraine and signaling deeper Europe‑Asia strategic coordination and industry linkages since South Korea’s 2023 NATO partnership.