| German Ambassador to the South Korea | |
|---|---|
 Arms of the Federal Republic of Germany | |
Incumbent Michael Reiffenstuel since 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."
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:
Unequal treaty is the name given by the Chinese to a series of treaties signed during the 19th and early 20th centuries, between China, various Western powers, and also with Japan. The agreements, often reached after a military defeat or a threat of military invasion, contained one-sided terms, requiring China to cede land, pay reparations, open treaty ports, give up tariff autonomy, legalise opium import, and grant extraterritorial privileges to foreign citizens.
The politics of the Joseon dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1897, were governed by the reigning ideology of Korean Confucianism, a form of Neo-Confucianism. Political struggles were common between different factions of the scholar-officials. Purges frequently resulted in leading political figures being sent into exile or condemned to death.
The Germany–Korea Treaty of 1883 was negotiated between representatives of Germany and Korea.
The Austria–Korea Treaty of 1892 was negotiated between representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Joseon Korea.
The Belgium–Korea Treaty of 1901 was negotiated between representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Korean Empire.
The China–Korea Treaty of 1882 was an unequal treaty between the Qing dynasty and the Joseon dynasty in October 1882. This agreement has been described as the Joseon-Qing Communication and Commerce Rules; and it has been called the Sino-Korean Regulations for Maritime and Overland Trade. The treaty stipulated that Joseon is a tributary state of Qing China, thereby the subjugative influence over Joseon by the Qing dynasty was started. After 1894, Qing lost its influence over Joseon because of the First Sino-Japanese War.
The Japan–Korea Protocol of August 1904 was made between representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire in 1904. Negotiations were concluded on August 22, 1904.