○ Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reinffenstuel at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government complex on August 9.
○ Discussion of Gyeonggi-German cooperation in sectors including green technology and promising SME promotion

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim and German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiffenstuel discussed approaches for exchange and cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Germany in diverse areas including green technology and the promotion of promising SMEs.

After meeting with Ambassador Reiffenstuel at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government complex on August 9, Governor Kim said, “Germany is Korea’s largest trade partner in the EU,” adding, “As both countries have a shared experience of division, I look forward to close cooperation in a variety of sectors.”

Governor Kim continued, “I hope Gyeonggi Province and Germany can closely cooperate in the ‘Let’s DMZ Peace Walk Event’ in October,” extending an invitation to Ambassador Reiffenstuel.

In response, Ambassador Reiffenstuel replied, “I appreciate your invitation and hope to have an opportunity to share the history of German division and unification.”

Governor Kim also noted that the Free State of Bavaria has signed a friendship and economic cooperation agreement with Gyeonggi Province, saying, “Based on our strengths, both regions seek to promote cooperation in batteries, semiconductors, hydrogen energy, promising SMEs and future technology sectors.”

Governor Kim and Ambassador Reiffenstuel also discussed a variety of other topics including energy crises, global politics, economic crises and future trends.

Appointed as the German Ambassador to Korea in August 2020, Ambassador Reiffenstuel is an expert in diplomacy who previously served as Consulate General in Istanbul (2018–2020) and Ambassador to Cairo (2009–2012).

The meeting was initiated by Ambassador Reiffenstuel with the intent of discussing Korean-German relations with Governor Kim as well as approaches for exchange and cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Germany.

Gyeonggi Province signed a friendship and economic cooperation agreement with the Free State of Bavaria in May 2016; exchanges were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed this year at the request of Bavaria. During a virtual meeting with representatives of the Bavarian Bureau for International Business Relations in March, relations between the two regions were renewed with discussions on green technology exchanges and promising SME promotion as well as the pursuit of reciprocal visits.

Meanwhile, as head of Korea’s foremost provincial government, Governor Kim has been engaging in a variety of diplomatic activities including a meeting with British Ambassador Colin Crooks to discuss means by which to expand exchanges with the UK.