InterviewK-drama fan from Stuttgart helps strengthen Korean-German economic ties
InterviewK-drama fan from Stuttgart helps strengthen Korean-German economic ties
Being a big K-drama fan who can read, write and speak Korean, Marie Antonia von Schonburg is now facing the tall task of helping German companies doing business here navigate political and economic uncertainty, both domestically and globally.
The public relations expert, who grew up in the German industrial city of Stuttgart, started leading the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) on April 1.
When von Schonburg started her tenure, massive political rallies near the Constitutional Court were still taking place on her way to the KGCCI office near Cheong Wa Dae, the former official residence and office of Korea’s presidents until 2022.
“Something I keep joking about is that wherever I go, there’s political turmoil,” von Schonburg told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “When I went to Catalonia, the Catalan independence movement started. Six weeks after I went to Sri Lanka, the [Sri Lankan] president was thrown out. Five days after I came to Korea, the [Korean] president was impeached.”
Before her appointment as the president and CEO of the second-largest foreign chamber of commerce in Korea, she served as the chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka and the head of the Barcelona office of the German Chamber.
Although she had never worked in Korea before her recent appointment, von Schonburg had visited the country on several occasions prior to taking on her new role.
“I was struck by the energy, warmth and innovation I encountered, and I knew I wanted to deepen my connection with the country,” she said.
Referring to the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration last December, the KGCCI CEO said she was “really impressed of the resilience of Korean democracy.”
While commending Korea’s strong commitment to democratic values and legal processes, von Schonburg advised the next administration to prioritize stability, innovation and openness to global business.
According to a recent business confidence survey, the share of European companies satisfied with their performance in Korea dropped to 45 percent in 2024 from 68 percent in 2022. Many respondents also expressed concern about the pace of reforms, with limited expectations for major changes in the near future.
“For German companies operating in Korea, key expectations include a reliable and transparent regulatory framework, consistent application of the rule of law and policies that actively encourage foreign investment,” she said.
Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) President and CEO Marie Antonia von Schonburg, right, poses with Seoul Blind Union President Cho Hyung-seok at the KGCCI headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday, after signing a memorandum of understanding to deepen their cooperation for individuals with visual impairments. Courtesy of KGCCI
Given the forthcoming May inauguration of Friedrich Merz as the next German chancellor, the KGCCI CEO noted that new leadership can help accelerate the modernization of both countries’ bilateral cooperation in response to global challenges.
She especially urged Korea and Germany to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based global trade system.
“In a world facing rising protectionism and increasing pressure on global trade norms, Korea and Germany must deepen their bilateral cooperation to build greater resilience and agility,” von Schonburg said. “Both economies are highly export-oriented and have been directly affected by unilateral trade measures, including those imposed by the United States under previous administrations.”
According to von Schonburg, Merz is expected to focus on economic revitalization — particularly in the fields of climate technology, innovation and industrial competitiveness — which aligns closely with Korea’s strategic priorities.
“These shared goals open up significant opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, resilient supply chains and upskilling,” she said. “With close coordination, Germany and Korea can transform shared ambitions into impactful results.”
There is a possibility that both countries’ leaders will meet in Korea next year when the KGCCI will host the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) in Seoul.
The 2024 event in India brought together over 800 delegates, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for high-level discussions on market trends, geopolitical developments and emerging strategies.
Although the chancellor’s participation in the upcoming event remains uncertain, APK 2026 will also include political leaders and CEOs from large companies, small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
“APK is not just a conference — it’s the region’s flagship dialogue platform connecting German business leaders with their counterparts across Asia-Pacific, with a focus on sustainable transformation, diversification and innovation,” von Schonburg said. “APK 2026 will be a platform to showcase Korean innovation and leadership, and we aim to spotlight more Korean companies and voices from across industries.”
Source: Google News
