What topics were Lee Jae Myung and Friedrich Merz expected to discuss at their Seoul summit?

The agenda included economic cooperation in future industries such as batteries, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as well as defense and arms industry cooperation. The leaders were also expected to discuss regional and international issues.

Why was Friedrich Merz’s visit to South Korea notable?

It was Merz’s first visit to South Korea since taking office and the first visit by a German chancellor in three years. His two-day schedule also included attending the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul.

What was planned after Lee Jae Myung and Friedrich Merz’s summit at Cheong Wa Dae?

The summit was to be followed by a joint press statement and an official dinner, according to Seoul’s presidential office. Merz was also scheduled to attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business during his two-day visit.

Lee set to hold summit with German chancellor on economic cooperation

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung was set to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul on Thursday to discuss expanding economic cooperation. The summit was scheduled for Cheong Wa Dae, followed by a joint press statement and official dinner. The leaders were expected to discuss batteries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defense and arms industry cooperation, and regional and international issues. Merz’s two-day visit includes the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business.

Key Facts

Merz’s visit is his first to South Korea since taking office and the first visit by a German chancellor to the country in three years.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the visit was expected to advance bilateral ties in a more strategic and forward-looking direction.
Lee and Merz last met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France in June, and Thursday’s summit was to be their third meeting since Merz took office.
Merz was also scheduled to attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business during his two-day visit.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 29, 2026 9:15 am KST

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the ISEAS 49th Singapore Lecture, Singapore, Oct. 27. Reuters-Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung was set Thursday to hold a summit with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries.

The trip marks Merz's first visit to South Korea since taking office and the first visit by a German chancellor to the country in three years.

Lee and Merz are scheduled to hold a summit at Cheong Wa Dae later in the day, followed by a joint press statement and an official dinner, according to Seoul's presidential office.

During the talks, the two leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation in future industries, such as batteries, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as defense and arms industry cooperation, and regional and international issues.

"The visit is expected to help advance bilateral ties in a more strategic and forward-looking direction," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said earlier.

Merz will also attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul during his two-day visit.

The two leaders last met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France in June. Thursday's summit will be their third meeting since Merz took office.

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