The President and First Lady attended a meeting with Korean citizens living in Berlin after arriving in the city on May 8.

Nearly 300 Koreans living in northern Germany attended the meeting.

The President spoke on Korea’s enhanced status in the international community and Korea-Germany relations at the meeting.

He expressed thanks to Korean residents in Germany for their role in improving Korea-Germany ties, despite the hardships Korea faced in the past.

Currently, more than 30,000 Koreans live in Germany, including many who came as miners, nurses and students in the 1960s and 70s. More than 6,000 Koreans reside in Berlin alone.

The President said in his speech that South Korea is willing to engage in dialogue with the North as long as they communicate with sincerity. He also said Seoul is urging Pyongyang to apologize for the sinking of the battleship Cheonan and its missile attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island.

The President then stressed the importance of achieving peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, mentioning Germany’s successful reunification.

Additionally, The President said that the ratification of the Korea-EU free trade is a significant step toward recognizing Korea’s progress in democracy and human rights.

The President will have summit talks with President Christian Wulff and Chancellor Angela Merkel on May 9, before continuing their European visit.