Merz says North Korea threatens Europe's security as he deepens ties with Seoul

Merz links North Korean troops to European security

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday, 29 October, that North Korea threatens the security of Europe by sending soldiers to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine. Speaking in Seoul after talks with President Lee Jae Myung, he argued that Moscow's arms supplies to Pyongyang tie the security situation in Europe to that in Asia. South Korean intelligence estimates that about 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to support Russian forces. In return, Pyongyang has supplied artillery ammunition and missiles, while Russia is said to provide money, military technology and security assurances.

Merz wrote in a social media post from the trip that the security of the Korean peninsula and European security affect each other.

“Korea's security affects Europe's security. And Europe's security also affects Korea's security.”

A deeper strategic partnership with Seoul

Merz and Lee agreed to raise the relationship to a deepened strategic partnership that covers security and defence. The arrangement provides for regular military exchanges, joint exercises and the sharing of information. A joint declaration lists areas of cooperation ranging from artificial intelligence to the defence sector. Lee said Korean arms companies are keen on long-term partnerships with German firms, including joint ventures and joint development. The two governments also plan a secrecy agreement for classified military material, and Seoul and Berlin intend to expand cooperation in cars, batteries and semiconductors.

Merz described the partnership as a response to a more fragile international order.

“We need more than ever a strong network of partners that share important interests and common values.”

Lee said both sides had laid groundwork on critical minerals and energy security in response to uncertainties in supply chains. Korean and German companies are also rivals in areas such as submarines and tanks.

Missile launch and a stalled dialogue

Shortly before the chancellor landed, North Korea fired about ten short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military reported. Seoul had proposed talks with Pyongyang only a week earlier, but North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown no willingness to engage. Lee told Merz that Germany had pledged support for Seoul's dialogue efforts, pointing to Germany's own experience of division. Relations between Kyiv and Seoul had also been strained recently after Ukraine's leadership publicised plans to hand over captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea.

Guestbook message and the trip's next steps

In the guestbook at the presidential office, Merz wrote that Korea and Germany share the painful experience of division. He wished Koreans the unity in freedom that Germans have been able to experience. Merz had earlier stopped in Singapore and Japan to press for closer ties between Europe and Asia. He is scheduled to visit the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Friday, 30 October, to conclude the Korean leg of the tour. During the talks, both leaders also agreed to stay in contact on the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, free trade and the response to the climate crisis.