Finland Review

Sean and I had the opportunity to visit the Finnish Embassy, where we were honored to interview the Deputy Head of Mission, Minister Counsellor Antti Niemela. Upon our arrival, we were warmly greeted and seated in a lobby that seamlessly blended traditional and modern Finnish elements.

Finland’s diplomatic ties with Korea date back to 1973, when significant global developments and an exchange of notes between Helsink

i and Seoul led to this long-lasting partnership. Just last year, the presidents of Finland and Korea celebrated the 50th anniversary of these diplomatic ties, marking the enduring connection between the two nations.

Both Finland and Korea are considered highly developed countries, and their mutual interests drive this reciprocal partnership. Both nations are particularly focused on science and technology, especially in developing approaches to renewable energy. For instance, Korea plays a central role in Finland's shipping sector, where Finland emphasizes minimizing carbon emissions in trade.

Culturally, both countries strive to make a meaningful impact on one another. Finland hosts small events to introduce and display Finnish culture. For instance, Mr. Niemela mentioned that the embassy was planning to host a circus this year featuring a Finnish troupe in Korea. Conversely, Korea promotes its culture in Finland through cultural centers, having already established two. These centers showcase art exhibitions, stage performances, traditional Korean music, and Korean food festivals.

When asked more about his personal life, Mr. Niemela shared that he once studied in Korea as a college student. When asked what life in Finland was like, he described Finland as the opposite of Korea: Finland has an abundance of nature, a non-competitive school system, and an overall low-stress environment—a possible explanation for why Finland is considered one of the happiest countries in the world. He also reflected on how his appreciation for Finland’s scenic nature deepened only after he moved to Seoul, where nature is scarce, buildings dominate the skyline, and every street is bustling with noise.

Although some Finnish people are attracted by Korea’s unique culture or the hope of finding a spouse, Mr. Niemela stated that the primary driving factor for Finnish immigration to Korea—similar to his own family's motivation—is the public school system. Therefore, the few hundred Finnish people who live in Korea are mostly students.

As someone who has traveled and worked in various countries, Mr. Niemela advises us to maintain our own values and principles when traveling abroad while also being open-minded and adaptable to the local environment. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Niemela and the Embassy of Finland for their time, and we hope to see them again soon!