[Interview] K-drama fan from Stuttgart helps strengthen Korean-German economic ties

Maria Antonia von Schönburg, President and CEO of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), emphasized in a recent Korea Times interview that close cooperation between Korea and Germany is essential in response to growing U.S. protectionism.

“Both countries are export-driven economies and are directly affected by unilateral U.S. trade measures,” von Schönburg noted, stressing the importance of reaffirming a joint commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based global trade system.

She added that bilateral cooperation could generate synergies in fields such as artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and talent development. The 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), to be held in Seoul next year, will be a valuable opportunity to showcase Korea’s innovation and leadership on the global stage, she said.

Von Schönburg also emphasized the need for transparent regulatory frameworks and foreign investment–friendly policies to ensure German companies can operate stably in Korea amid political and economic uncertainties.

For more detailed interview content, please check the link.