Kim So-yeon and Gerhard Schröder’s engagement was announced at a press conference in Seoul

Gerhard Schröder, the former German chancellor, has lived up to his nickname of “the lord of the rings” by announcing that he is to marry for a fifth time.

Mr Schröder, 73, who was chancellor from 1998 until losing to Angela Merkel in 2005, announced his engagement to Kim So-yeon at a press conference in Seoul.

Doris, left, and Hiltrud are among Mr Schröder’s four former wives FRANZISKA KRUG/GETTY; PETER MUELLER/REUTERS

He said he had got to know Ms Kim, 47, when she acted as a translator for him at an international managerial meeting two years ago.

Mr Schröder, who is close to President Putin, chairs the board of the Nord Stream pipeline project to bring Russian gas to Germany through the Baltic Sea. Ms Kim is a representative for the economic development agency of North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Doris Schröder-Köpf,