Mr. Gerhard Schröder, former German chancellor

The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder will visit South Korea for three days from Nov. 3, to Nov. 5, 2009, announced the German Embassy in Seoul on Oct. 29, 2009.

During his stay in the nation Mr. Schröder will meet with South Korea's major leaders including Mr. Ahn Byung-Man, minister of education, science, and technology.

Mr. Schröder will also attend "Global HR (Human Resources) Forum 2009" slated for Nov. 3-5, 2009 at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul.

A total of 200 world leaders from 65 countries will attend the three-day event.

At the forum Mr.Schröder will deliver a key-note speech.

German ambassador to Seoul, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt will host a dinner reception for the former chancellor.

The reception will be held at the German envoy's residence in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2009.

The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was born on April 7, 1944. The lawyer-turned politician served as Chancellor of Germany between 1998 and 2005. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), he led a coalition government of the SPD and the Greens.

Before becoming a full-time politician, he was a lawyer, and before becoming Chancellor he was minister-president of the German state of Lower Saxony.

Following the 2005 federal election, which his party lost, after three weeks of negotiations he stood down as Chancellor in favor of Angela Merkel of the rival Christian Democratic Union.