President Moon Jae-in (left) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hold summit talks at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on July 5.

By Yoon Sojung

Photos = Cheong Wa Dae 

President Moon Jae-in, currently on an official visit to Germany, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a summit meeting in Berlin on June 5. The two presidents discussed issues involving the Korean Peninsula and measures to bolster bilateral cooperation. 

Regarding Pyongyang’s recent provocations, President Moon said, “Heightened sanctions and pressure are needed, of course, but eventually the issue should be resolved through dialogue and peace.”

“As Germany overcame its division and played a leading role in solving nuclear weapons issues by mediating between Iran and the U.S., I would like to ask Germany for help,” said President Moon. 

President Steinmeier responded by saying that, “I believe that sharing Germany’s unification experience with Korea is our duty. Should there be no dialogue or negotiations, military risk would be heightened.”

“At this year’s G20 Summit, Korea, the U.S., Russia and Europe should take one united stand against North Korea,” he said. 

The two presidents agreed that both countries need to jointly act together against moves to restrict free trade. The two presidents also agreed to set up high-level communication channels in order to expand economic exchanges and trade. 

President Moon Jae-in (second from right) and first lady Kim Jung-sook (second from left) pose for a photo with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (right) and his spouse Elke Buedenbender, at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on July 5.

President Moon Jae-in signs the guest book at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on July 5. (From left) Elke Buedenbender, spouse of the German president, first lady Kim Jung-sook and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier look on.

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