German President Horst Kohler says Korean unification may come sooner than expected.

In an interview with Korea's Yonhap News, Kohler said that based on Germany's experience, historic events, such as unification, can occur sooner than expected, regardless of whether or not proper preparations have been made.

He said that given the ability and the creativity of the Korean people, he is confident they will overcome the political and economic challenges accompanying unification.

The German president will visit Seoul next Monday for four days.