In 1929, he joined the German Freethinkers League and in 1930 the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
[1] From December 1949 to February 1951, Kohrt served as personal advisor to Anton Ackermann in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
[1] Between 1951 and 1954, he held a succession of leadership roles within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, having an influence on the development of the diplomatic relations between the German Democratic Republic and Western European countries.
[2][3][4] He was recalled and replaced by Martin Bierbach on the initiative of Otto Winzer so that he could be appointed deputy minister for Foreign Affairs.
[5] Kohrt played a key role in improving relations between East and West Germany during the era of Ostpolitik.