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The Republic of Korea and Norway: More than a Diplomatic Relation
- DATE
- 2020-07-27
The Republic of Korea and Norway: More than a Diplomatic Relation
Karin Ness Kjølstad
On the 3rd of June,1959 the first Norwegian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Eigil Nygaard, presented his credentials to president Yi Syng-man at the Blue House (Norwegian Embassy in Seoul, 2017). Ever since, the Republic of Korea and Norway have built up a close relationship. A relation that celebrated its 60th anniversary of friendship and shared values last year.
The root of this long-lasting partnership is the field hospital (NORMASH) that Norway sent to assist the UN forces during the Korean war (read more about NORMASH here). During these hard times the two nations created strong bonds resulting in the close cooperation we are experiencing today. Since the early 1950s both countries have grown from poverty to becoming some of the most prosperous countries in the world. The ocean is not only important for both nations development, but also plays a central role in diplomatic relations. Seafood, maritime affairs and shipbuilding have for a long time dominated trade relations between the Republic of Korea and Norway. In fact, the Republic of Korea is Norway’s third largest trading partner among Asian countries (Statistics Norway, 2019) and Norway is the Republic of Korea’s largest trading partner among the Nordic countries (K-Stat, 2019). Today the two economies are deeply integrated, and the cooperation has expanded into various fields, including environmental issues, green growth and Arctic affairs. The ocean is still standing as a symbol of the two countries close cooperation; however, the blue collaboration is also turning green.
While trade relations and diplomatic meetings are at the core of the close bond between the Republic of Korea and Norway, one must not forget what lies underneath. Hidden under the surface are those cultural exchanges between people that may alone not seem huge, but which in fact are an essential part of this diplomatic relation. Those little things people stumble upon in everyday life – like a great artist, an exceptional book or a new favorite food. For me, it was those encounters that sparked my interest for the Republic of Korea. An interest which has grown into a steady relationship – we are never parting ways.
Throughout recent years such encounters between Koreans and Norwegians are becoming more evident. This increasing interest in Korean culture in Norway and vice versa is also a crucial part of the thriving bond between the two countries. In Norway there are now several Korean restaurants, so that sudden crave for Korean food can finally be met. Norwegian salmon is available at supermarkets in the Republic of Korea, and you can buy kimchi at several stores in Oslo. This increasing curiosity for one another’s culture also becomes evident when walking around in stores in Seoul and suddenly hearing Norwegian music. K-pop, while a global phenomenon, is becoming truly popular in Norway and other Korean artists are also making their way to Norway. And if you need a good read you should check out K-literature, as more and more of it is translated to English and available in Norwegian bookstores.
This growing visibility of Norway in the Republic of Korea and vice versa shows how the bond between these countries is more than a blue collaboration. It shows that while bilateral meetings and political cooperation is of grave importance, one must not forget the meaning of those everyday cultural encounters. Encounters that spur interest which further leads to cultural exchanges. Exchanges which again sparks closer cooperation.
(Photos : 대한민국 청와대)
Sources:
[1] Norwegian Embassy in Seoul, 2017. Bilateral Relations. https://www.norway.no/en/south-korea/norway-south-korea/bilateral-relations/
[2] Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway, 2017. Ambassadors greeting. http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/no-en/wpge/m_7008/contents.do
[3] Statistics Norway, 2019. External trade in goods
[4] K-Stat, 2019. Imports and Exports of Korea.
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway
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