(LEAD) S Korea-Germany-agreement

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks in last 5 paras; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Germany agreed Thursday to upgrade their bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, under which the two countries will deepen cooperation in security and future technology.

The agreement was reached during a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Seoul, marking their third bilateral talks. The two last met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France in June.

"Considering that the increase in global risks and challenges ... necessitates concerted action, both sides agree to significantly intensify their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, thereby raising the level of their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership," said a joint statement released by the South Korean presidential office.

The two countries expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the area of security and defense through regular military exchanges and training cooperation, as well as information exchanges, according to the statement.

"To this end, they will continue to hold bilateral Security Policy Staff Talks between their respective defense ministries on security policy and defense industry cooperation," it said.

Both countries reiterated their commitment to concluding a bilateral agreement on the protection of classified military information and exploring mutually beneficial areas for further cooperation in the defense industry.

Additionally, the two countries expressed their commitment to regular high-level exchanges, including a foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, as well as to further expanding bilateral dialogue on cybersecurity and addressing the risks and opportunities arising from the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI).

On the economic and technology front, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, industry, future technologies and innovation, including in the automotive sector, batteries, industrial AI and robotics, by signing relevant agreements, the released statement showed.

"Both sides strive for a sustainable transformation of their key industries and are committed to leveraging their complementary strengths to secure technological leadership," it said.

Regarding Korean Peninsula issues, the countries said they "value their exchange on the shared experience of national division," underscoring their willingness to further develop their dialogue in the framework of the Korea-Germany Advisory Committee.

Additionally, the two sides shared "a common determination to contribute to stability, security and prosperity" in their respective regions, saying they "remain opposed to coercion or destabilizing action, including foreign interference."

The two sides reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, according to the joint statement.

Announcing the summit results in a joint press event with Merz, Lee said the joint statement reflects the two countries' "firm and clear commitment to deepening cooperation in various sectors and strengthening future-oriented cooperation and strategic partnership."

The South Korean president also said that he had asked for Germany's support and cooperation in ensuring that South Korea receives treatment equal to that afforded to European nations under the European Union's Industrial Accelerator Act.

"As a country that has suffered the pains of national division, Germany has shown deep empathy with (Seoul's) efforts to build a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula," Lee also said, adding that both countries agreed to continue cooperation to secure peace and stability on the peninsula.

Merz highlighted that the security of South Korea and Europe is interconnected, saying that North Korean soldiers' fighting against Ukrainian troops in Donbas endangers freedom in Europe, as does Russia's supply of weapons to Pyongyang.

He said that he will continue communications with Lee about the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

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