Press Releases
Speaker Kim meets with President of Norwegian Parliament
- Mar 13, 2023
- 6679
Speaker Kim Jin-pyo meets with President of Norwegian Parliament
- Speaker expects economic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of offshore wind power and hydrogen
- Speaker anticipates collaborative projects such as joint development of the Arctic with Norway, the incoming chair of the Arctic Council
- President pledges cooperation on Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030
The Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met on Feb. 9 with President of the Kingdom of Norway’s Parliament Masud Gharahkhani in the Speaker’s reception room. They discussed issues such as cooperation in economic and defense sectors, development in the Arctic, and support for Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030. The visit marked the first by a President of Norway’s Parliament in 45 years and was the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries’ parliaments in 22 years. The Iran-born Gharahkhani immigrated to Norway in 1987 and became the country’s first parliamentary leader who is an immigrant.
Speaker Kim opened by expressing his gratitude to Norway for dispatching the NORwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH)* to South Korea during the Korean War, before the two countries even forged diplomatic ties in 1959.
“Korea and Norway have cooperated closely as allies that share the same universal values of an international society. I hope this visit by the President of the Norwegian Parliament will provide us an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries,” he said.
* The NORwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH) served as a field hospital in Uijeongbu and Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, from July 1951 to November 1954 during the Korea War. A total of 623 medical workers treated approximately 90,000 patients, both soldiers and civilians.
Speaker Kim and President Gharahkhani discussed practical ways to bolster bilateral economic cooperation. Kim noted, “Companies from both countries have been doing business in their counterpart’s economy, and it is encouraging to see Norway’s growing investment in Korea in the renewable energy sector. I look forward to seeing fresh approaches to cooperation on the combined technologies of the two countries, in the fields of floating offshore wind power, hydrogen, and renewable energy.” Gharahkhani responded by noting that Norwegian companies are showing growing interest in investing Korea’s renewable energy sector.
President Gharahkhani then requested the National Assembly’s interest in amending the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement, to which Speaker Kim vowed close cooperation with the government to achieve better trade conditions under the agreement.
On the topic of defense cooperation, Speaker Kim underlined, “We need to continually seek specific areas of defense cooperation such as cyber security, education, anti-drone systems, and technical cooperation,” while expressing regret at Norway’s recent decision to place an order for German tanks rather than Korean K2 battle tanks.
Gharahkhani explained that the decision was not based on a technological review, and that Norway had considered the importance of defense cooperation among NATO allies.
On developing and protecting the Arctic region, Kim said: “The two nations have shared strategies and policies on the Arctic and have pursued active cooperation in the fields of science, shipbuilding, and the marine environment.” He then asked for Norway’s interest and participation, in its role as the next chair in the Arctic Council** in the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOFA)*, in which Korea serves as the vice chair.
* Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOFA) is signed by 10 countries comprising five that border on the Arctic Ocean (United States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, and Norway), along with South Korea, China, Japan, Iceland, and the European Union (EU). The agreement took effect on June 25, 2021.
** The Arctic Council, founded in 1996, is the leading intergovernmental forum established to promote cooperation on the Arctic region and discuss related environmental protection and sustainable development policies. The Republic of Korea was admitted as a temporary observer in November 2008 and as a permanent observer in May 2013.
He then called for the parliament’s interest in the drafted ‘administrative arrangement to implement a social security agreement’ for increased personnel exchanges and a ‘working holiday agreement’ between the two nations to promote more youth exchanges.
Meanwhile, Speaker Kim requested Norway’s support for and interest in Busan’s hosting of World Expo 2030. He explained, “Busan is a well-equipped transport and logistics hub in Northeast Asia with excellent infrastructure such as the world’s second-largest transshipment port, an airport, a high-speed rail system, a smart city, and a history of successfully hosting many international events, making it the best place to host World Expo 2030.” President Gharahkhani pledged to convey Speaker Kim’s request to his government.
Kim and Gharahkhani also exchanged views on inter-Korean affairs and the situation in Ukraine. On the former issue, Speaker Kim expressed appreciation for Norway’s close cooperation with Korea, as chair of the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea, and emphasized, “The South Korean government has kept the door open to dialogue with the North to achieve a peaceful solution to North Korea’s nuclear program. But if the North resumes provocations with a seventh nuclear test, the international community must unite on a decisive response.” Gharahkhani concurred with the Speaker on such a need.
With respect to the Ukraine crisis, President Gharahkhani called for the Korean parliament’s interest in furnishing support to Ukraine, to which Speaker Kim pledged to join in the international community’s efforts and humanitarian support to help Ukraine return to normalcy and peace.
Following the meeting, Kim and Gharahkhani moved to the National Assembly’s Sarangjae hall and continued discussions on pending issues over lunch. They were joined by Vice chairman and co-CEO of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. Ka Sam-hyun, and President & CEO of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Park Du-seon to help foster parliamentary collaboration that leads to enhanced economic cooperation between companies.
“The Korean people remember how Norway helped us during the Korean War. Now the two countries have been reinforcing their win-win partnership across different sectors such as marine engineering and shipbuilding, defense, and renewable energy, as well as in new areas including the Arctic region. Democracy, human rights, constitutionalism, and other shared universal values will help us grow closer,” said the Speaker.
Gharahkhani responded that Korea and Norway are moving forward together in areas of democracy, human rights, and constitutionalism as peace-loving nations and will continue to cooperate in sectors such as shipbuilding, marine transport, defense, offshore wind power, and hydrogen.
Attendees at the meeting and the luncheon from the Norwegian side included First Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Svein Harberg; Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment Marianne Sivertsen Ness; First Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Ausmund Aukrust; member of the parliament Lene Westgaard-Halle; Secretary General of the Storting (parliament) Kyrre Grimstad; Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Hansen Ovind; and Head of the International Department of the Storting Christian Gahre. From the Korean side, attendees included Chairman of the National Defense Committee Han Ki-ho; Chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee Jeon Hae-cheol; National Assembly members Lee Huseung, Kim Young-jin, Kim Byung-joo, and Lee Soo-jin; Secretary General of the National Assembly Lee Kwang-jae; Chief of Staff Park Kyung-mee; Senior Secretary General for Public Relations Ko Jae-hak; Ambassadorial Advisor to the Speaker for Foreign Affairs Cho Koo-rae; and Director General of the International Affairs and Protocol Bureau Hwang Seung-gi.
- Speaker expects economic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of offshore wind power and hydrogen
- Speaker anticipates collaborative projects such as joint development of the Arctic with Norway, the incoming chair of the Arctic Council
- President pledges cooperation on Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030
The Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met on Feb. 9 with President of the Kingdom of Norway’s Parliament Masud Gharahkhani in the Speaker’s reception room. They discussed issues such as cooperation in economic and defense sectors, development in the Arctic, and support for Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030. The visit marked the first by a President of Norway’s Parliament in 45 years and was the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries’ parliaments in 22 years. The Iran-born Gharahkhani immigrated to Norway in 1987 and became the country’s first parliamentary leader who is an immigrant.
Speaker Kim opened by expressing his gratitude to Norway for dispatching the NORwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH)* to South Korea during the Korean War, before the two countries even forged diplomatic ties in 1959.
“Korea and Norway have cooperated closely as allies that share the same universal values of an international society. I hope this visit by the President of the Norwegian Parliament will provide us an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries,” he said.
* The NORwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH) served as a field hospital in Uijeongbu and Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, from July 1951 to November 1954 during the Korea War. A total of 623 medical workers treated approximately 90,000 patients, both soldiers and civilians.
Speaker Kim and President Gharahkhani discussed practical ways to bolster bilateral economic cooperation. Kim noted, “Companies from both countries have been doing business in their counterpart’s economy, and it is encouraging to see Norway’s growing investment in Korea in the renewable energy sector. I look forward to seeing fresh approaches to cooperation on the combined technologies of the two countries, in the fields of floating offshore wind power, hydrogen, and renewable energy.” Gharahkhani responded by noting that Norwegian companies are showing growing interest in investing Korea’s renewable energy sector.
President Gharahkhani then requested the National Assembly’s interest in amending the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement, to which Speaker Kim vowed close cooperation with the government to achieve better trade conditions under the agreement.
On the topic of defense cooperation, Speaker Kim underlined, “We need to continually seek specific areas of defense cooperation such as cyber security, education, anti-drone systems, and technical cooperation,” while expressing regret at Norway’s recent decision to place an order for German tanks rather than Korean K2 battle tanks.
Gharahkhani explained that the decision was not based on a technological review, and that Norway had considered the importance of defense cooperation among NATO allies.
On developing and protecting the Arctic region, Kim said: “The two nations have shared strategies and policies on the Arctic and have pursued active cooperation in the fields of science, shipbuilding, and the marine environment.” He then asked for Norway’s interest and participation, in its role as the next chair in the Arctic Council** in the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOFA)*, in which Korea serves as the vice chair.
* Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOFA) is signed by 10 countries comprising five that border on the Arctic Ocean (United States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, and Norway), along with South Korea, China, Japan, Iceland, and the European Union (EU). The agreement took effect on June 25, 2021.
** The Arctic Council, founded in 1996, is the leading intergovernmental forum established to promote cooperation on the Arctic region and discuss related environmental protection and sustainable development policies. The Republic of Korea was admitted as a temporary observer in November 2008 and as a permanent observer in May 2013.
He then called for the parliament’s interest in the drafted ‘administrative arrangement to implement a social security agreement’ for increased personnel exchanges and a ‘working holiday agreement’ between the two nations to promote more youth exchanges.
Meanwhile, Speaker Kim requested Norway’s support for and interest in Busan’s hosting of World Expo 2030. He explained, “Busan is a well-equipped transport and logistics hub in Northeast Asia with excellent infrastructure such as the world’s second-largest transshipment port, an airport, a high-speed rail system, a smart city, and a history of successfully hosting many international events, making it the best place to host World Expo 2030.” President Gharahkhani pledged to convey Speaker Kim’s request to his government.
Kim and Gharahkhani also exchanged views on inter-Korean affairs and the situation in Ukraine. On the former issue, Speaker Kim expressed appreciation for Norway’s close cooperation with Korea, as chair of the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea, and emphasized, “The South Korean government has kept the door open to dialogue with the North to achieve a peaceful solution to North Korea’s nuclear program. But if the North resumes provocations with a seventh nuclear test, the international community must unite on a decisive response.” Gharahkhani concurred with the Speaker on such a need.
With respect to the Ukraine crisis, President Gharahkhani called for the Korean parliament’s interest in furnishing support to Ukraine, to which Speaker Kim pledged to join in the international community’s efforts and humanitarian support to help Ukraine return to normalcy and peace.
Following the meeting, Kim and Gharahkhani moved to the National Assembly’s Sarangjae hall and continued discussions on pending issues over lunch. They were joined by Vice chairman and co-CEO of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. Ka Sam-hyun, and President & CEO of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Park Du-seon to help foster parliamentary collaboration that leads to enhanced economic cooperation between companies.
“The Korean people remember how Norway helped us during the Korean War. Now the two countries have been reinforcing their win-win partnership across different sectors such as marine engineering and shipbuilding, defense, and renewable energy, as well as in new areas including the Arctic region. Democracy, human rights, constitutionalism, and other shared universal values will help us grow closer,” said the Speaker.
Gharahkhani responded that Korea and Norway are moving forward together in areas of democracy, human rights, and constitutionalism as peace-loving nations and will continue to cooperate in sectors such as shipbuilding, marine transport, defense, offshore wind power, and hydrogen.
Attendees at the meeting and the luncheon from the Norwegian side included First Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament Svein Harberg; Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment Marianne Sivertsen Ness; First Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Ausmund Aukrust; member of the parliament Lene Westgaard-Halle; Secretary General of the Storting (parliament) Kyrre Grimstad; Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Hansen Ovind; and Head of the International Department of the Storting Christian Gahre. From the Korean side, attendees included Chairman of the National Defense Committee Han Ki-ho; Chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee Jeon Hae-cheol; National Assembly members Lee Huseung, Kim Young-jin, Kim Byung-joo, and Lee Soo-jin; Secretary General of the National Assembly Lee Kwang-jae; Chief of Staff Park Kyung-mee; Senior Secretary General for Public Relations Ko Jae-hak; Ambassadorial Advisor to the Speaker for Foreign Affairs Cho Koo-rae; and Director General of the International Affairs and Protocol Bureau Hwang Seung-gi.
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