Silla gold crown: A century of Korean-Swedish friendship

For a century, Korea and Sweden have shared a unique friendship, highlighted by the anniversary of Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf's visit to Korea in 1926. The prince, who later became King Gustaf VI Adolf, accompanied Princess Louise during this historic trip. During their stay, the Crown Prince actively participated in the excavation of a Silla period tomb in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

This excavation site, known as Seobongchong, yielded a magnificent gold crown that deeply impressed the prince. He reportedly found the discovery so thrilling that it surpassed the sensation of becoming king himself. The tomb excavation united Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf with Choe Nam-ju, a young Korean archaeologist who later became a close friend and professional collaborator.

This friendship, born out of their shared passion for archaeology, predated the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sweden. Despite the passage of time, this bond of friendship has continued to blossom through decades of warm correspondence and personal exchanges, forming an enduring chapter in the narrative of Korean-Swedish relations that continues to inspire future generations.