Danish-South Korean relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and South Korea

Denmark

South Korea
Diplomatic mission
Danish Embassy, SeoulKorean Embassy, Copenhagen
Envoy
Ambassador Thomas LehmannAmbassador CHOI, Jai-chul
South Korean embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Denmark–South Korea relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and South Korea. Denmark has an embassy in Seoul.[1] South Korea has an embassy in Copenhagen.[2] Diplomatic relations were established on 11 March 1959.[3]

History edit

Denmark-Korea Treaty of 1902 edit

The Denmark-Korea Treaty of 1902 was negotiated between representatives of Denmark and the Empire of Korea.

In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on the Korean capital city. Treaty negotiations with several Western countries were made possible by the completion of this initial Japanese overture.[4]

In 1882, the Americans concluded a treaty and established diplomatic relations,[5] which served as a template for subsequent negotiations with other Western powers.

Korean War edit

 
The air raid of 3.May 1945. Java is in front, Falstria in the middle, and Jutlandia at the rear.

When North Korean communist forces attacked South Korea on June 25, 1950, Denmark agreed to provide assistance to the UN and to give humanitarian support to the allied forces in South Korea. The decision was not uncomplicated: the mood between the superpowers were extremely tense, and Denmark had to find a way to support the UN without being aggressive. Almost instantly, medical supplies were made available, and after negotiations Denmark also agreed to send a hospital ship. In the fall of 1950, East Asiatic Company again agreed to place the ship at the disposal of the Danish Government, whilst it was en route to New York City.[6]

On January 23, 1951 she was sent to Korea. She sailed under 3 flags: Dannebrog, the Red Cross, and the UN flag. The day before the departure, she was visited by King Frederik and Queen Ingrid.

Denmark undertook the refitting of MS Jutlandia as a modern hospital ship, and consigned it to Korea. She had four operation theatres, four hospital departments with up to 356 beds, X-ray eye and dental clinics as well as laboratories, dispensary and special departments.[6]

High level visits edit

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited South Korea in 2006 and in October 2007, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visited Seoul for the first time after the official diplomacy between both nations.[7] In 2009, 50-years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and South Korea was celebrated in both countries.[8] In March 2010, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen visited South Korea.[9] On 11 May 2011, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited Denmark.[10]

Present edit

Denmark and South Korea had a meeting in Seoul on Oct. 13. Korea Foreign Affairs Minister, Kang Kyung-wha and Danish counterpart,[11] Anders Samuelsen emphasized their Partnership and both agreed to cooperate development of political and economical issues.

The ministers talked about celebration of diplomatic relations between Korea and Denmark. The events will be organized in 2019. FTA between Korea and the European Union was one of important issues. The ministers criticized 'North Korea's nuclear and missile weapons development, and asked that all nations comply with and carry out U.N. Security Council resolutions, reaffirming the need to push for a complete, irreversible and verifiable dismantlement of Pyongyang's nuclear program in a peaceful manner.'

Trade edit

South Korean exports to Denmark in 2009, was $479 million.[12]

During 2017, Danish exports to South Korea were $623.59 million. $207M (33%) were in machinery, nuclear reactors and boilers. $62.1M (10%) were in electrical and electronic equipment. $56.8M (9.1%) were in optical, photo, technical and medical apparatus. $45M (7.2%) were in meat and edible meat offal. $37.5M (6%) were in dairy products, honey and edible products.[13]


See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Danish embassy in Seoul Archived 2012-01-12 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Korean embassy in Copenhagen
  3. ^ South Korean embassy in Denmark Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Kim, Chun-gil. (2005). The History of Korea, pp. 107-108., p. 107, at Google Books
  5. ^ Yŏng-ho Ch'oe et al. (2000). Sources of Korean Tradition, p. 235, p. 235, at Google Books; excerpt, "Korea signed a similar accord with the United States (the Treaty of Chelump'o, 1882) that was followed by similar agreements with other Western nations;" Korean Mission to the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, D.C., 1921-1922. (1922). Korea's Appeal to the Conference on Limitation of Armament, p. 29., p. 29, at Google Books; excerpt, "Treaty and Diplomatic Relations Between the United States and Korea. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation dated May 22, 1882."
  6. ^ a b The Danish Hospital Ship: Jutlandia
  7. ^ Danish queen in South Korea
  8. ^ Danish Envoy Opens New Residence
  9. ^ Foreign Affairs of Denmark about South Korea Archived 2008-11-25 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "South Korean State Visit to Denmark: Day One". The Royal Correspondent. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  11. ^ Korea, Denmark reaffirm cooperation on NK issues, strategic relationship
  12. ^ Bilateral relations between South Korea and Denmark Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ United Nations COMTRADE Database

External links edit