President Lee Jae Myung (right) on Oct. 15 shakes hands with visiting Swedish Crown Princess Victoria at the presidential office in Seoul. (Office of the President)

By Lee Dasom

President Lee Jae Myung on Oct. 15 hosted talks with Swedish Crown Princess Victoria, who was on an official visit of Korea, at the Office of the President in Seoul.

President Lee welcomed the princess to the country, saying, "Through the Korean visit of the Crown Princess and her entourage, the friendly and cooperative relationship developed between both countries over a long time will be further reinforced in various ways."

She responded by saying that during her visit, economic and business executives from both countries will hold talks through the Korea-Sweden Sustainable Partnership Summit, and added her hope of bilateral cooperation extending beyond economy to new areas such as green transition and energy.

"The Korean people feel so close to Sweden thanks to the famous Swedish pop group ABBA and author Han Kang's receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature last year," President Lee said. "Building on these ties, I hope to strengthen bilateral cultural cooperation and expand opportunities for collaboration in future-oriented sectors such as cutting-edge technologies and renewable energy."

He also praised Sweden's continued contributions to peace on the Korean Peninsula like sending a medical support delegation during the 1950-53 Korean War and a special envoy to the peninsula.

"I hope for both sides to continue closely working together for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," President Lee said. "I hope Crown Princess Victoria successfully completes her diverse itinerary in Korea."

dlektha0319@korea.kr