Park Geun Hye on Angela Merkel

Park Geun Hye regarded German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a significant diplomatic counterpart with whom she shared a "special fellowship" rooted in the common experience of national division. During a March 2014 summit in Berlin, the two leaders discussed cooperation, with Park explicitly citing Germany as a role model for the peaceful reunification of Korea, given its own successful transition. They agreed on establishing mechanisms, such as networks between financial authorities and policy think tanks, to share Germany’s experience regarding the economic aspects and funding of unification.

Their relationship was characterized by personal rapport, dating back to a meeting in 2000, and the acknowledgment of shared traits, including being the first female leaders of their respective nations and having science backgrounds. Park appreciated Germany's support on the Korean Peninsula issue, particularly its constructive role within the EU, and sought to foster economic ties, specifically aiming to establish partnerships between South Korean SMEs and German companies. The Chancellor's perspective on division and reunification informed Park's strategic vision for inter-Korean relations.