Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is set to embark on her first overseas trip since the coronavirus pandemic began early this year.
Ministry spokesman Kim In-chul told reporters Thursday that Kang will head to Berlin to hold a second round of strategic talks with her German counterpart, Heiko Maas.
Kang and Maas will meet on Monday and likely discuss cooperation plans for COVID-19 as well as other issues of mutual concern.
An official said the two ministers could exchange views on South Korea's invitation to join the G7 summit.
Some observers speculate talks will also include the recent U.S. decision to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany.
Kang has been granted an exemption from South Korea's mandatory two-week quarantine for overseas arrivals, but it's expected she will not return to work for a few days after returning to Seoul.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
