By UN Journal Kayla L:ee

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on October 16. Minister Stenergard is visiting South Korea on October 15 and 16. The two ministers exchanged views on practical cooperation and regional affairs.

Minister Cho noted that high-level exchanges between the two countries have been revitalized since the launch of the new administration, including the visit of the Crown Princess Couple of Sweden and the subsequent meeting between the foreign ministers. He expressed hope that these high-level exchanges would lead to tangible results in the development of bilateral relations.

Minister Stenergard expressed pleasure that the two countries have developed friendly cooperative relations across various fields including politics, economy, and culture.

She noted that both nations possess high technological standards and innovation capabilities, indicating very high potential for cooperation in multiple areas such as science and technology, AI, and renewable energy.

In response, Minister Cho recalled that both nations possess high capabilities and mutual cooperation potential in defense industries and various manufacturing sectors, expressing hope to broaden the scope of cooperation, including identifying new collaborative projects.

He also noted that Korean culture, including Korean literature and K-pop, is gaining popularity not only in Sweden but worldwide, and that Korean popular culture has also been influenced by Swedish culture, such as ABBA. He expressed hope for more active cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries, both possessing high cultural capabilities.

Meanwhile, Minister Cho explained the Korean government's efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and expressed hope that the two countries would continue to cooperate closely to build peace on the peninsula.

Additionally, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation and current issues in Asia and Europe. They agreed that the need for cooperation between the two countries, which share similar positions, is growing amid increasing uncertainty in the international situation.

They also shared the view that the two countries should continue to communicate on the international stage.