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| Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Frode Solberg speaks during the country's Constitution Day reception at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Seoul, May 17. Courtesy of Embassy of Norway in Korea |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The Embassy of Norway in Seoul hosted a reception for their Constitution Day at a hotel in Seoul, May 17, celebrating in Norwegian style for the national day celebration without restrictions for the first time in three years.
The day commemorates the signing of the Constitution of Norway at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. The Constitution declared Norway as an independent nation, which laid the foundation for the country's independence.
"Many of you said this was Norway's night, but this is not only Norway's night. I think this is our night ― this night belongs to all of us," Frode Solberg, ambassador of Norway to Korea, said in the opening remarks, celebrating the return of diplomatic events.
"Norwegians are celebrating now and hundreds and thousands of children in Norway are parading with flags, celebrating our Constitution from 1814."
Ambassador Solberg noted that Norway's iconic children's parade was established on the holiday after 1945 when the country gained independence after five years of occupation during World War II.
"Tonight, we are looking to enjoy the time together. Unfortunately, this is not the situation everywhere. And our thoughts are with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, a victim of unacceptable, brutal Russian invasion. It is a grim reminder of a more uncertain and demanding global situation, more demanding that we have seen for a long time," Solberg said.
"It underlines the importance of cooperation between like-minded countries. We must continue to defend democracy ― we have an order that we have worked so hard to achieve."
The ambassador also said he hopes to work with Korea's new administration, extending his best wishes to President Yoon Suk-yeol.
"Norway is looking forward to continuing the close bilateral cooperation. The cooperation that goes back to the Korean War when close relations and friendships were built. And over the past decades, the Republic of Korea has grown to become one of our most important partners with strong ties within energy, maritime industry, technology, defense, seafood, to mention but a few," Solberg said.
"Our bilateral ties continue to grow and are moving into new, exciting and important arenas, like the green transition, Arctic cooperation, research and development."
Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon delivered a congratulatory message.
"We share many fundamental values and interests and cooperate well in multilateral fora. I look forward to strengthening our bilateral relations, as cooperation on a variety of issues such as climate change and energy cooperation that would contribute to further advance the relations between our two countries," Lee said.
