Germany's top diplomat says his country welcomes South Korea's participation in an upcoming Group of Seven summit.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas made the comment after holding a second strategic dialogue with his South Korean counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, in Berlin on Monday.
While welcoming South Korea as an "important" nation in the world, Maas made clear that Germany is against expanding the forum if it involves letting Russia back in.
He said Russia must first resolve the issue of Crimea and its ongoing disputes with Ukraine.
Expanding the G7 was an idea proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in May.
Trump, as this year's chair, said he wants to invite South Korea, Australia, India and Russia to the next group summit in the fall.
Kang said South Korea welcomes the invitation and will actively take part, but agreed the decision should be made following consultations with the international community.
Kang also said Seoul is closely following Washington's planned reduction of troops in Germany and denied any related discussions of a similar drawdown in South Korea.
The two ministers covered other issues of mutual interest and agreed on the need for a fair multilateral system as the global economy worsens in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, vowing to continue to work together.
In regards to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Maas noted the South Korean government's efforts to improve relations with North Korea and agreed on the importance of peacefully resolving the nuclear issue through dialogue, according to a press release.
Kang and Maas agreed to hold their third strategic dialogue in Seoul.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
