10th of September 2025

IHK Frankfurt am Main

Korea–Germany Business Dialogue Continues in Frankfurt

South Korea is one of the world’s most dynamic and technology-driven economies. With a gross domestic product of over €1.7 trillion, a top ranking in the Global Innovation Index (6th place in 2024), and more than 50 million digitally savvy consumers, the Korean market is far more than an insider tip for German companies – it is a key partner for the future.

The city of Frankfurt is home to many Korean-invested companies and Korean citizens. This is why Frankfurt is also known as the “European headquarters” of the Korean business community.

How can companies successfully enter a foreign market? Where are the starting points for cooperation? What role does Korea play in key technologies such as artificial intelligence or robotics? And what can small and medium sized companies learn from the strategies and success models of companies that already succeeded in the German-Korean market environment?

These are the central questions of the Korea Business Day 2025, which will take place on September 10 at the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), organized in cooperation with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and the Korean Consulate General and partnering with the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Korea), the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the German-Korean Business Association (DKW), Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) and the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV).

The event will bring together leading voices from business, politics, and academia from both countries to explore opportunities for cooperation, investment, and technological partnerships.

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This event is free of charge, registration is required. Seats are limited.

Deadline for registration is September 3rd, 2025.

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Agenda

Master of Ceremony: Dr. Jürgen Ratzinger, Head of International Department, Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Ulrich Caspar, President of Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Representative of Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Special Remarks on the Expansion of Bilateral Business
H.E. Sang Beom Lim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Germany

Outlook on the Asia-Pacific Conference 2026 in Seoul
Marie Antonia von Schönburg, CEO and President, Korean-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KGCCI)

Content: As AI reshapes global industries, Germany and South Korea—both leaders in innovation—are uniquely positioned to collaborate in next-generation technologies. This panel will explore market opportunities for companies offering specialized AI applications, particularly in areas like manufacturing, logistics, and industrial automation.

The panel also examines the strategic potential of German-Korean partnerships in high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, chips, and smart systems. With Korea's advanced production capabilities and Germany's strong engineering and AI research base, what synergies can be unlocked?

Join us for a discussion on how both countries can leverage their strengths to drive innovation, increase competitiveness, and co-develop future technologies in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Moderator:
Daniel Marek, Deputy Executive Member of the Board, German Asia- acific Business Association (OAV)

Speaker:
Michael Ryu, General Manager, Doosan Robotics Europe
Achim Haug, Director East Asia, Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI)

Dr. Nicole Renvert, Managing Director International Markets, Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)

Torsten Heun, Partner, Deloitte Germany

Content:

South Korea is one of Asia’s most advanced and innovation-driven economies, ranking 6th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (WIPO). With a €1.5 trillion GDP and strong digital infrastructure, it offers companies access to key sectors like mobility, green tech, and biotech.

Bilateral trade with Germany reached nearly €33 billion in 2024, and over 560 German firms already operate successfully in Korea (Auswärtiges Amt). Korea’s stability, skilled workforce, and pro-innovation policies make it an ideal partner in Asia.

In this panel discussion, we will talk about strategies to enter the Korean market: ways to do business, ways to get along with cultural differences, and – at the end of the day – ways to be successful.

Moderator:
Barbara Sillich, Partner, Tax, Head of Country Practice South Korea, KPMG and General Manager German Korean Business Association (DKW)

Speaker:
Dirk Lukat, Honorary Ambassador, Invest Korea and Executive Vice President Contract Logistics, Schenker Deutschland AG
Dr. Michael Grund, CEO, eyrise B.V.

Content:

Frankfurt is home to 620 Korean companies (2024), and this number is increasing steadily every year. The growing presence of Korean companies in Germany raises a key question: Does this signify the potential for deeper cooperation with local companies?

Korean companies’ role to Germany merits attention. It is important how this trend and dynamism play an evolving role for shaping future Korea-Germany economic ties.

Speaker:
Martin Lee, CEO, IBCT
Jörn Siegle, Vice President, FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH

Welcoming Remarks

Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Organisators / Partners