FRANKFURT — President Lee Jae Myung said Sunday that many Korean companies are actively operating in Frankfurt and the broader Hesse region of Germany, emphasizing the Korean community's role as a bridge between the two countries.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Korean community in Germany at a hotel in Frankfurt, where he stopped briefly on his return trip after visiting San Francisco and three South American countries.

"Today, many of our companies are operating across Frankfurt and Hesse," Lee said.

The president highlighted that across Europe, Korean firms are "proving their competitiveness" in industries spanning automobiles, electronics, finance, logistics, and other advanced technologies. Germany ranks as South Korea's largest trading partner within the European Union, and Frankfurt's status as a continental financial and logistics hub has made the region a natural anchor for Korean corporate expansion in Europe.

Lee described the Korean community as a key pillar of Korea's growing competitiveness, noting that its members can further strengthen the country's regional presence by complementing national strengths with the strong local trust they have built.

He also pointed to Germany's growing interest in Korean culture, businesses, and technology, reiterating the community's bridging role between Seoul and Berlin.

President Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung saluted the national flag during the gathering.

Frankfurt was the final stop on Lee's five-nation tour. Following the meeting with the Korean community, Lee was scheduled to depart for South Korea.