List of ambassadors of Germany to South Korea explained

Post:	German Ambassador to the South Korea
Insignia:	Coat of arms of Germany.svg
Insigniasize:	120px
Insigniacaption:	Arms of the Federal Republic of Germany
Incumbent:	Michael Reiffenstuel
Incumbentsince:	October 2020

The list of ambassadors from Germany to South Korea began after the Federal Republic of Germany recognised the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in December 1955.^[1] The official title of this diplomat is "Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Korea."

Historical relations

Diplomatic relations between the German Empire and Korea were established in 1883, during the Gründerzeit period of the German Empire and the Joseon Dynasty period of Korean history. However, the Korean Empire lost its right to conduct foreign policy due to the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905. Germany did not recognise the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in exile in Shanghai (the self-asserted successor to the Korean Empire).

The consuls-general and consuls of the German Empire to the Joseon Dynasty and then the Korean Empire were:

Capt. Zembisch, appointed November 18, 1884^[2]
H. Budler, acting consul-general from August 11, 1885
T. Kempermann, appointed May 17, 1886
F. Krien, acting consul-general May 22, 1887; appointed April 27, 1889
F. Reinsdorf, acting consul from December 5, 1898
H. Weipert, acting consul from April 1, 1900; appointed September 29, 1900

List of heads of mission

Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Korea

Richard Hertz, 1956–1960
Karl Bunger, 1960–1964
Franz Ferring, 1964–1969
Wilfried Sarrazin, 1969–1975
Karl Leuteritz, 1975–1980
Wolfgang Eger, 1980–1985
Jűrgen Kleiner, 1985–1992
Dieter Siemes, 1992–1995
Claus Vollers, 1995–2000
Hubertus von Morr, 2000–2003
Michael Geier, 2003–2006
Norbert Baas, 2006–2009
Hans-Ulrich Seidt, 2009–2012^[3]
Rolf Mafael, 2012–2016
Stephen Auer, 2016–2020
Michael Reiffenstuel, 2020–present

References

Halleck, Henry Wager. (1861). International law: or, Rules regulating the intercourse of states in peace and war. New York: D. Van Nostrand. OCLC 852699
Korean Mission to the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, D.C., 1921-1922. (1922). Korea's Appeal to the Conference on Limitation of Armament. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. OCLC 12923609

Notes and References

http://www.mofat.go.kr/english/regions/europe/20070818/1_985.jsp Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea: Germany
Korean Mission ; excerpt, "Treaty and Diplomatic Relations Between Germany and Korea. Treaty of Amity and Commerce dated November 23, 1883"
Deuteschen Botschaft in Der Republik Korea, Lebenslauf Botschafter Hans-Ulrich Seidt