Roh Lauds Germany’s Efforts to Deal With Its Past; Schroeder Supports Peaceful Resolution of Nuclear Issues

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, during his state visit to Germany, had a summit meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the chancellor’s official residence in Berlin on April 13.

In the meeting, President Roh praised Germany’s efforts to remake itself into a key player of the European Union (EU) by thoroughly coming to terms with its past since the Second World War. Chancellor Schroeder expressed his strong support for the principle of pursuing peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis and a peace policy based on reconciliation between the North and the South. In particular, Chancellor Schroeder was known to express his willingness to serve a constructive role to precipitate North Korea’s reform and openness.

There has been no prompt report on if the two leaders discussed Germany’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. However, a high-ranking official of Cheong Wa Dae accompanying the president told the reporters that President Roh thinks Germany is fully qualified for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and that the president did not make any comments on Japan’s bid for the seat.

The two leaders also shared their view that the experiences that Germany has accumulated since its reunification through internal unity and the integration process for the EU could serve as a significant precedent for a reunification on the Korean Peninsula and a future framework for northeast Asia.

They also viewed the growing trade volume ($16.8 billion) between the two countries as a good sign, and therefore aimed to raise the volume up to $20 billion in the near future. They also decided to expand their trade investment and strengthen cooperation on information technology, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and industrial technology. President Roh invited Chancellor Schroeder to visit South Korea, and the chancellor accepted the invitation.

After the meeting, the president departed from Tegel Airport in Berlin and arrived in Frankfurt, the hub of Germany’s finance and transportation.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com