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Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visits Insa-dong in Seoul during her state visit to South Korea on Sunday. /Yonhap
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"Denmark is a small country with no coal or iron industry. Its solid human resources are the source of its competitiveness. Small and medium-sized Danish businesses boast of world-class competitiveness through innovation and brilliant ideas."
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the "land of fairy tales," has arrived in South Korea for the first time, accompanied by her husband Prince Consort Henrik.
During her three-day official visit from Monday, the queen will meet with President Roh Moo-hyun, tour Samsung Electronics' Suwon Complex, a shipyard in Ulsan, and the Insa-dong area of the city. A Denmark-South Korean business forum will be held during the trip.
In an interview with South Korean reporters in Denmark before her departure, the queen said she was especially interested in "economic diplomacy."
"Representatives from large and small Danish companies will accompany me on the trip to South Korea," she said. "I hope my visit can open the way for more lively trade and cooperation between South Korea and Denmark."
The Danish queen has a strikingly tall figure as befits a lady of northern European. She has a deep knowledge of art and is an accomplished painter. "I'm looking forward to the visit because I'll get an opportunity to experience South Korean art and introduce young Danish artists to the country."
Denmark has a population of 5.4 million. A constitutional monarchy, it maintains its royal tradition although it is among the most advanced nations in the world in terms of democracy and press freedoms. The royal family remains popular among the Danish people because of its reputation for modesty and kindness.
"The Danish royal family is a symbol that represents the times and the Danish people. As my grandfather and father represented their own times, I represent our time, standing at the center of the Danish people's lives," the Queen said.
Although Denmark is known for its advanced design and IT industries, the lifestyle of the royal family is oriented around tradition. The Korean reporters met with the queen and prince at Fredensborg Palace on the outskirts of Copenhagen. Antique furniture dotted its halls and rooms, like a palace from a fairy tale. The queen said she uses neither the Internet nor a mobile phone.
Margrethe II acceded to the throne in 1972 at the age of 32. Before that she studied archaeology at the University of Cambridge and later she studied at the Sorbonne. She speaks fluent English, French, German and Swedish. In 1967 she married Prince Henrik, a Frenchman. They have two sons, Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim. "Denmark is my homeland now," Prince Henrik said. "I root for the Danish team during Danish-French soccer games."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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