Han calls Korea, Germany 'trusted partners' to boost mutual competitiveness

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook described South Korea and Germany as "trusted partners that can raise each other's competitiveness by connecting their respective strengths," proposing deeper bilateral cooperation in three areas: batteries, semiconductors and the AI transformation of manufacturing.

Han made the remarks Friday in a keynote address at the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference Germany (APK 2026), held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Han said the global economy is in "a period of massive transformation," citing the AI transformation, or AX, sweeping industrial sites around the world.

"All of humanity is experiencing the transformation that AI has brought — simultaneously, and at an extraordinarily fast pace — while the benefits of technology are concentrating in a handful of companies and countries," Han said. "That is precisely why connectivity and cooperation between nations matter even more."

Han's proposals aim to broaden the existing trade- and investment-centered relationship between the two countries into strategic areas such as economic security, supply chains and advanced industries. On batteries, Han said South Korean battery companies have established production bases in Poland and Hungary and now account for three-quarters of Europe's battery cell production capacity. "This will be a field where we can grow together as a solid foundation supporting Germany's automotive industry in its transition to electric vehicles," Han said.

On semiconductors, Han cited the semiconductor innovation center opened in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, in July by German chipmaker ZEISS as an example of bilateral cooperation. Han also emphasized both governments' efforts on manufacturing AX, saying that if the two countries' industrial data and strengths are closely linked, "we will be able to accelerate manufacturing innovation and together create new industrial standards for the AI era."

Han noted that the IMF projects the Asia-Pacific region will drive about two-thirds of global economic growth this year. "As German companies are now diversifying their supply chains into the Asia-Pacific and seeking new growth opportunities, Korea is an important strategic hub connecting Asia, the Pacific and Europe — and will be a trusted partner that understands Germany well," Han said.

Han added that the two countries should broaden the scope of cooperation to cover supply chains, advanced technology, the economy, resources and energy. "I look forward to expanding joint research and creating new opportunities for technology and growth together, particularly in the future industries that South Korea has designated as seven seed sectors — new engines of growth — including AI, quantum, biotech and space," Han said.