South Korea, Sweden to expand ties on startups, SMEs
President Moon Jae-in and Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven arrive at the Grand Hotel in Saltsjobaden on the outskirts of Stockholm, June 15. AP-Yonhap
Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, third left, and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, second left, and President Moon Jae-in, second right, attend a summit at the Grand Hotel in Saltsjobaden outside Stockholm, June 15. AP-Yonhap
The leaders of South Korea and Sweden agreed Saturday to level up their countries' partnerships, especially in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven also exchanged views on how to promote inclusive growth, including welfare and gender equality, and labor-management relations, according to Cheong Wa Dae
The two made the agreements at a summit held in Saltsjobaden, a suburb of Stockholm, on the last day of Moon's state visit to Sweden.
In 1938, the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and the Swedish Employers Association signed a landmark treaty in the town, the Saltsjobaden Agreement, which became a model for labor-management negotiations.
President Moon Jae-in and Sweden's King Carl Gustaf during a press meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, June 14. AP-Yonhap
The leaders agreed to broaden South Korea-Sweden partnerships in various fields such as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, science and technology, and climate and the environment.
To that end, the Korea Startup Center will open in Stockholm next year, which will "serve as a center for cooperation between startups in the two nations," the presidential office said.
Moon also introduced his administration's efforts for a "fair society with no discrimination" and had discussions on the matter with the prime minister.
Sweden is arguably a leading nation when it comes to having an inclusive society.
President Moon Jae-in gives a speech at the Sweden-Korea Business Summit in Stockholm, June 14. AP-Yonhap
The President also asked for Sweden to continue its constructive supporting role in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.
Lofven reaffirmed Stockholm's strong support for Seoul's efforts to bring lasting peace to the peninsula.
Moon's state visit to Sweden came as this year the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties.
The leaders agreed that this is expected to become an "important opportunity" to lay the foundation for closer cooperation in the next 60 years, Cheong Wa Dae said. (Yonhap)