Seoul:German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to embark on an official visit to South Korea next week, where he will engage in a summit with President Lee Jae Myung. This visit, scheduled for next Thursday and Friday, marks Chancellor Merz's first trip to South Korea since assuming office and is the first official bilateral visit by a German chancellor to the country in three years, as confirmed by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung in a written briefing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit between Chancellor Merz and President Lee is slated for Thursday and will be followed by a joint press statement and an official dinner. This meeting will be their third since Chancellor Merz took office, following their last encounter on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France in June.

Chancellor Merz will also participate in the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul. The discussions between the two leaders are expected to delve into topics such as economic cooperation, future industries like batteries, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as defense, the arms industry, and various regional and international issues.

Kang highlighted the significance of Germany as South Korea's largest trading partner in Europe and a key partner, with approximately 850 South Korean companies operating in Germany. The upcoming visit is anticipated to further enhance bilateral relations in a more strategic and forward-looking manner.