Fostering German-Korean Cooperation in Marine Research

The Ambassador of South Korea to Germany, His Excellency Kyung-soo Lee, visited GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel on 4 March 2016. For many years, marine research institutions of both countries have been working together very intensively. During his visit the ambassador underlined the importance of innovative marine research for the welfare of future generations.

Germany is often regarded as a high-tech country where much emphasis is placed on high-quality education and research. Nevertheless, compared with South Korea, Germany is still a developing country. At 4.29% of the GDP, South Korea spends the highest percentage worldwide on research and technology development. Also in absolute terms of the expenses the country ranks in sixth place out of more than 200 countries. This is also evident in the field of marine and climate research. With the Korean Institute of Ocean Technology (KIOST) South Korea has a major international research centre, that has also been collaborating closely with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel for many years. For example, both centres work closely together in the field of marine resources as well as in the area of climate modelling.

Importance of Cooperation

During the visit of the South Korean ambassador Kyung-soo Lee to Kiel GEOMAR Director Professor Dr Peter Herzig underlined the importance of the cooperation with the Asian country. According to him, South Korea has recognised that we can only meet global challenges, in particular in the field of marine research, through intensive research and innovation. Together the countries have to take leadership in technology to ensure that also in future the economies remain successful and innovative in the competitive international arena. He sees the South Korean colleagues as role models for motivation, innovation and positive visions of the future.

At GEOMAR two scientists are currently working in the field of ocean circulation and climate dynamics. One of them is the climatologist Dr. Wonsun Park. This year he is chairman of the Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (EKC) in 2016 to be held from 27-30 July in Berlin. Furthermore he is also president of the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in Germany.

His Excellency Kyung-soo Lee was impressed by the achievements of the marine research at GEOMAR in Kiel. He underlined that through the cooperation in the field of marine research of both countries provides an important contribution to the welfare of future generations. Little is known about our oceans, however their preservation, but the resources that they provide, are of fundamental importance for mankind. Only together will it be possible to answer the important questions and develop methods for a sustainable use of our oceans, was Kyung-soo Lee’s conclusion.