Silla gold crown: A century of Korean-Swedish friendship

In 1926, a remarkable bond was forged between Korea and Sweden when Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Louise embarked on a historic visit to Korea. The visit took place during October, a month that has since become synonymous with Korean-Swedish friendship due to the Nobel Prize announcements. During their stay, the Crown Prince played a pivotal role in the excavation of a Silla period tomb in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

This tomb, named Seobongchong, was discovered to contain a majestic gold crown that left the Crown Prince in awe, to the extent that he reportedly exclaimed, "The thrill surpasses becoming king."

The excavation of the tomb brought together the young Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, who later ascended to the throne as King Gustaf VI Adolf, and Choe Nam-ju, a young and ambitious Korean archaeologist who would later become my father. This shared interest in archaeology laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship and professional connection that predated the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The friendship was nurtured through a series of warm correspondences and personal exchanges over the years, creating a lasting chapter in the history of Korean-Swedish relations that continues to inspire future generations of Koreans.