Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Republic of Korea from 7 to 11 February 2018.
On his official visit, the Federal President first met President Moon Jae in. He also talked to high level representatives from the Government and Parliament, as well as to active members of civil society. The Federal President discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with experts from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
On the evening of 9 February, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender attended the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang. Meetings with the Presidents of the IOC and the IPC were scheduled for 10 February. He then met German athletes and attended a number of tournaments.
Prior to this, Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Japan from 6 to 7 February.
Overview of the programme:
Wednesday, 7 February 2018
- Afternoon
Flight to Seoul, Republic of Korea - Seoul
Visit to the Korea Furniture Museum - German Embassy
Talks with representatives of political foundations
Thursday, 8 February 2018
- Delegation hotel
Breakfast with German business representatives - Tour of the Gyeongbokgung palace grounds
- Official residence of the President
Welcome by Moon Jae in, President of the Republic of Korea
followed by signing of the visitors’ book and talks - Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of Korea
- Seoul National Cemetery
Wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Tower - National Assembly
Talks with the Speaker of the National Assembly
followed by a meeting with the Korean German Parliamentary Friendship Group - Visit to the Goethe-Institut to mark the 50th anniversary of its establishment
- Delegation hotel
Talks with members of the public involved in the candlelight movement - Delegation hotel
Dinner with former Korean Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Unification - Visit to SJ. Kunsthalle
Friday, 9 February 2018
- Seoul City Hall
Welcome and talks with Mr Park Won soon, Mayor - Ceremony to award honorary citizenship of Seoul to the Federal President
- Asan Institute for Policy Studies
Address by the Federal President and discussion with experts on the security situation in East Asia - Train journey to PyeongChang
- PyeongChang
Reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Korea - Opening of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games
Saturday, 10 February 2018
- Gangneung
Luncheon with German athletes in the Olympic Village - Mountain Cluster
Talks with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee - PyeongChang
Meeting with athletes in the Olympic Village - German House
Visit to the German House
followed by talks with Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee - Attendance of the women’s biathlon tournaments
- Attendance of the men’s ski jumping tournaments
Sunday, 11 February 2018
- Around noon
Return flight to Berlin