Swedish Princess discusses welfare issues with President Park

President Park Geun-hye poses with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden during her visit to Cheong Wa Dae Tuesday. Princess Victoria is on a four-day trip to Korea. / Yonhap

By Kim Hyo-jin

The heir to the Swedish throne kicked off her official visit to Korea with a meeting with President Park Geun-hye Tuesday, with a focus on sharing knowledge about her country’s welfare policies.

The heir apparent discussed the low birth rate and aging Korean society with the President.

“Sweden set a good example in policies in childcare and balancing between work and family,” Park said.

President Park also paid tribute to Sweden’s participation in the 1950-1953 Korean War.

“The Korean public remembers Sweden played an important role as an ally when security in Korea was at risk,” she said, citing Sweden having been a member of Neutral Nations Supervisory Nations for the past 60 years after the Korean War.

“I hope the visit will help improve the relations between Korea and Sweden,” Princess Victoria said during the meeting at Cheong Wa Dae. “I believe both nations have many aspects in common, which provides us a high chance for tight cooperation.”

Princess Victoria arrived in Seoul on Monday with her husband Prince Daniel for a four-day official visit. The visit was arranged at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo.

It is first time for the Swedish heir apparent to visit Korea. Princess Victoria is expected to become Sweden's 70th monarch and the third female monarch after succeeding King Carl XVI Gustaf, who has sat on the throne since 1973. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia's paid an official visit to Seoul in 2012.

A delegation of senior officials including Swedish Social Security Minister Annika Strandhall is accompanying the royal couple.

“The visit is for the Crown Princess and her husband to familiarize themselves with Korea,” the Swedish embassy said in a press release, citing her importance as a future head of state.