North Korea threatens European security, Chancellor Merz says in Seoul

North Korea is threatening "freedom in all of Europe" by sending troops to Ukraine to fight for Russia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday on a visit to South Korea.

Speaking after a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul, Merz said that Russia sending weapons to North Korea in return shows that "Korea's security affects Europe’s security."

"And Europe’s security also affects Korea’s security," the German leader added. "The world is a small place – even in wartime."

Lee and Merz agreed on deepening the strategic partnership between Germany and South Korea, which includes regular military exchange, joint exercises and intelligence sharing.

They also encouraged defence companies in the two countries to expand cooperation.

North Korea has been supplying Russia with large amounts of ammunitions and missiles used in the war against Ukraine. South Korea's intelligence service estimates that Pyongyang has also sent some 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian force.

Tensions persist between Koreas

Observers believe that Russia is providing Pyongyang with financial support, military technology and security guarantees in return.

The Korean peninsula has been divided into two separate countries since the Korean War fought from 1950 to 1953, with the communist North ruled by dictator Kim Jong Un, while South Korea has turned into a prosperous democracy with strong ties to the West.

Tensions between the two states remain high more than 70 years after the war, with a peace treaty yet to be concluded.

Shortly before Merz touched down in Seoul, North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military reported.

The government in Seoul proposed new talks with North Korea last week, but Pyongyang has so far not signalled openness to reopen negotiations.

Merz to visit demilitarized zone

Lee said Merz had offered to support the dialogue efforts, while the German leader expressed hope for Korean reunification in the future.

"Korea and Germany are linked by the painful experience of division," the German leader wrote in a guest book during the meeting with Lee.

Merz was referring to the fact that Germany was spilt into East and West Germany by the Allies following World War II and only reunified in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"I also wish for the people of Korea what we are fortunate enough to experience in Germany: unity in freedom," Merz wrote.

Merz is due to visit the demilitarized zone separating the two nations on Friday, on the final stop of a multi-day Asia trip that also took him to Singapore and Japan.