Concluded in Bergen

His Excellency President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister Erna Solberg early in the day, and the party arrived in Bergen in the late morning. An official luncheon at Haakon’s Hall was the first stop on the programme in the capital of Western Norway. The Mayor of Bergen, Ms Marte Mjøs, hosted the event in the ancient king’s hall.

Tour on board the HNoMS Maud

The navy logistics vessel HNoMS Maud is the Norwegian Navy’s largest ship. At 183 metres in length, she is substantially longer than the Norwegian frigates.

HNoMS Maud was built in the Republic of Korea at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering shipyard. She was christened in Bergen on 21 May of last year and named in honour of King Harald’s grandmother, Queen Maud.

King Harald, President Moon and First Lady Kim were given a tour on board, as well as a demonstration of the ship’s capability to transfer cargo to another vessel.

King Harald, President Moon and First Lady Kim signed a plaque commemorating their tour on board. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

HNoMS Maud has good cargo capacity and can provide underway replenishment to other vessels of fuel, provisions, spare parts, ammunition and more. This enables other vessels to remain at sea for longer periods without having to dock for supplies. Maud can take helicopters on board and has personnel to administer medical treatment and perform life-saving surgery.

HNoMS Maud is planned to be operational as a military vessel in the course of 2020.

The crew of HNoMS Maud was standing at attention on the dock, ready for inspection when the guests arrived. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

Concluded at Troldhaugen

The final stop on the State Visit of the President and First Lady was the home of composer Edvard and Nina Grieg, Troldhaugen. When President Moon spoke at the luncheon in Haakon’s Hall, he pointed out that many Koreans are familiar with Edvard Grieg and in particular “Solveig’s Song”. Today’s mini-concert was concluded with precisely that piece.

Soprano Beate Mordal and pianist Jens Harald Bratlie performed. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

Soprano Beate Mordal and pianist Jens Harald Bratlie performed a number of songs and lyrical pieces before finishing with “Solveig’s Song” from Peer Gynt.

The State Visit was concluded at Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB scanpix

King Harald bid farewell to the President and the First Lady at Bergen Airport, Flesland. President Moon and the First Lady will be starting a State Visit to Sweden tomorrow, and will be officially welcomed there by Their Majesties King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.