He guested the official opening of the Norway Day of the Expo 14 May. After the opening he got an extensive tour around the Expo area where he took time to visit the Norwegian and Korean pavilions. The Norwegian pavilion is based on the topic of the Yeosu Expo, “The Living Ocean and Coast”. It seeks to show Norway’s 25000 km long coastline with an interactive and innovative approach.
On the same date Trond Giske also joined the opening of a seminar hosted by the Korea Norway Economic Cooperation Council. The seminar revolved around green shipping technology, an important topic for two nations with a large shipping related bilateral trade volume.
On 15 May Trond Giske opened a new exhibition at Samgakji station in Seoul. The Norwegian Embassy runs a continuous exhibition at the station, using changeable video and changeable pictures partly framed in bamboo structures that resemble Norwegian nature. The new exhibition is inspired by the Norway pavilion at the Expo in Yeosu. “As two coastal nations, Norway and the Republic of Korea both share a responsibility in protecting the resources of the sea.” The Minister proclaimed in his opening speech.
After receiving an extensive tour of the exhibition the Minister went to the famous SamcheongGak restaurant to have a lunch with 7 Norwegian students currently studying at South Korean universities. The lunch-conversation revolved around what differences and similarities one can find in the Norwegian and Korean educational systems, and the students’ perception of life in South Korea.
After the lunch the Minister continued his program and traveled on to participate in bilateral meetings with South Korean Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Kwon Do-youp as well as Vice Minister of Knowledge Economy Yoon Sang-jick.
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