Crown Prince and Princess visit Hyundai shipyard
Norway's Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited Hyundai Heavy Industries accompanied by 70 government officials and business leaders.


The crown prince and his party arrived at HHI in Ulsan this morning (11th May 2007). Mr. Min Khe-sik, vice chairman, and Mr. Choi Kil-seon, president of HHI, showed the guests around the exhibition hall and shipyard.

Norwegian businessmen, journalists, and government officials, including Mr. Dag Terje Andersen, minister of industry and trade, and Mr. Didrik Tonseth, Norwegian ambassador, attended the trip, showing a desire for economic cooperation with Korea.

The crown prince expressed his interest in the technology and size of HHI while touring the shipbuilding site. During a luncheon at HHI’s Guest House, he asked Mr. Min and Mr. Choi to build a partnership with Norway, one that would help the development of both countries.

HHI has had a relationship with Norwegian shipowner Leif Hoegh since 1979, the year it ordered its first ship. The shipowner has ordered 57 ships from HHI so far.

Crown Prince Haakon, who will succeed his father, King Harald V, began a six-day visit to South Korea on May 7th. He is the first member of the Norwegian royal family to visit the Asian country.