Norway Embassy Review

Photo by Jiyoo Nam

Early into the holiday season, Consulate Circle members had the chance to visit the embassy representing a nation famous for its Christmas markets and festive atmosphere during the winter, Norway. At the interview, Consulate Circle members conversed with Ambassador Mr. Joon Grane Hetland and learned about some of the most important aspects of Norwegian diplomacy, society, and relations to South Korea. 

The Norwegian Embassy has a profound presence in Korea, performing not just standard business and consular services but also supporting dialogue between the two nations on the subjects of technology, sustainability, and international security. “We support Norwegian business while maintaining the decent relationship between Norway and South Korea,” Mr. Hetland remarked. 

Reflecting the nature of the growing relations between Scandinavian nations and South Korea, as highly developed nations, Norway mainly works on connecting with the South Korean government and businesses to work toward improved sustainable development through green solutions—technologies, products and processes that reduce impact, directly or indirectly, on the environment or climate compared to current alternatives—in ways such as collaborating on shipping and transportation innovation, hydrogen energy and transitioning to a green industry. Specifically, Mr. Hetland remarked that Norway is the leading force of the green revolution globally, indicating that not only Norway, but also other developed nations, should be actively involved in the frontline of environmental empowerment programs as pioneers. By consolidating their partnership with vital international organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or Green Peace, they aim to proliferate discussions regarding climate change.

Indeed, Consulate Circle members were particularly interested to hear about the unique role of the Norwegian Embassy and its important role in South Korea’s military and security awareness. As a founding member of NATO, Norway has played an important role in European geopolitics and security for the past seventy years. The Norwegian Embassy supports South Korean cooperation with Europe by increasing awareness among Korean officials about how South Korea is perceived worldwide, researching to support student mobility, and providing updates about Europe’s geopolitical situation—for example, on the Russo-Ukrainian War. They expressed negative sentiments on Russian aggression toward Norway a couple of years ago, their stance remaining strong against autocratic aggression. 

To fulfill these important duties, the Norwegian Embassy discuss treaties and agreements with various diplomats and participates in important events, such as the recent Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, where Norwegian diplomats met with delegations from more than thirty other nations and UN agencies in Busan to work toward developing sustainable solutions to plastic usage and waste. The embassy also holds events to promote Norwegian culture in South Korea, such as the 2024 exhibition of renowned 19th century Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s work in the Hangaram Art Museum, and the upcoming opening of a Norwegian-style opera house in Busan.

After exploring the duties of the Norwegian Embassy in South Korea, members were interested in what means the embassy is currently using to improve diplomatic relations between the two nations. Mr. Hetland described the potential of collaborating through Horizon Europe, an EU funding program for innovation and research, that Korea intends to join. “Although Norway is not currently part of the EU, Norway will constantly strive to exercise positive influence in our globe through the lenses of Horizon Europe,” Mr. Hetland enthusiastically stated. “Since Korea and Norway have completemanry political-socieconomic goals, we aim to abridge the diplomatic gap between two nations while relieving diplomatic tensions to ultimately elaborate on our different skills and approaches to strive for the same goal that is already designatedin Horizon Europe: facilitating educative approach and strengthen the impact of research and innovation for the young youth.” 

Regarding education, Mr. Hetland mentioned that while Norway is lower in technological rankings than Korea, Norway's literacy rate is increasing while Korea’s literacy rate is dropping. “Korea tends to focus on studying with extremely tense, stressful schedules and intense testing at academies, while Norway has lower study hours and is more focused on actively learning and applying the topics they cover,” Mr. Hetland said. Arguing that the less pressure and stress on students allows them to develop into stronger and more independent adults, Mr. Hetland expressed reservations about the current South Korean education system, which heavily contributes to the relatively high suicide commitment rate in the nation.

Conclusively, members were able to not only deepen their knowledge about the role of the Norwegian Embassy in South Korea, but also learn about its enriching history, culture, and means that the nation takes to ameliorate diplomatic kinship with South Korea. Thus, the meeting served as a prestigious opportunity for members in hearing multiple perspectives regarding the current status of the two nations’ diplomatic relations.