By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

German Ambassador to Korea Wilfried Georg Schmidt and his wife visited Goseong County, the northernmost border region, on October 15. After holding talks with Goseong County Mayor Ham Myeong-jun, they toured key security tourism sites and prayed for the establishment of a permanent inter-Korean peace system.

Ambassador Schmidt, meeting County Mayor Ham for the second time, visited the Unification Observatory. There, he directly gazed upon the North Korean region, experiencing firsthand the reality of the Korean Peninsula's division.

He expressed deep empathy for this visit to Goseong, stating, “Just as Germany overcame the pain of division and achieved reunification, I sincerely hope Korea will also realize peace and reunification.”

They headed to the Unification Observatory Tower in Goseong County, the northernmost point symbolizing the division, ascended the tower, and viewed the North's Haegumgang through telescopes.

They then visited the DMZ Museum, viewing various exhibits and special displays that vividly preserve the reality of the division. They also visited the Hwajinpo Sherwood Hall Memorial Museum, where they were deeply moved by the life story of Dr. Sherwood Hall, who dedicated herself to eradicating tuberculosis through humanitarian spirit.

County Mayor Ham stated, “This visit serves as an opportunity to explore the path to inter-Korean peace and reunification beyond exchanges between Goseong and Germany. We will do our utmost to position Goseong County as a symbolic city of peace, exchange, and sustainable development.”