Korea rises as strategic hub for German firms: KGCCI chief

What happened: The KGCCI chief said German companies are using South Korea as a base for manufacturing, R&D and supply chains serving Asia, ahead of the APK conference in Seoul on Oct. 29-31. Key numbers: About 800 business leaders expected at APK. About 540 German companies in Korea employ roughly 100,000 people. Cumulative German investment reached $13.8 billion as of December 2025. Why it matters: Von Schonburg said the conference could lead to more investment and joint projects, and that regulatory predictability is needed for companies to expand in Korea.

Korea's emergence as strategic hub for German firms signals investment interest.

Korea's emergence as strategic hub for German firms signals investment interest. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.