By Lee Kap-soo

Unification Minister Kim Young-ho met with German Ambassador to South Korea Georg Schmidt on Oct. 18 and said, "I hope that the two countries, which are celebrating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, will deepen mutual cooperation, including on reunification issues."

The Unification Ministry said Kim made the remarks as he met with Schmidt at the government's Seoul office later in the day to share the recent achievements following his visit to Germany.

Kim explained the South Korean government's policy direction, which focuses on denuclearizing North Korea, improving human rights in North Korea, and preparing for reunification based on a liberal democratic basic order, and asked for the German government's cooperation and support.

He also shared his concerns about the recent military cooperation between South Korea and Russia and the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors, and called on the German government and the European Union (EU) to pay attention to the issue of forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.

Ambassador Schmidt expressed interest in the South Korean government's policy direction and said he would strive to expand friendly cooperation between the two countries in the future, the ministry said.