The President , in Sweden on the last leg of his 8-day European tour, was a luncheon guest of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf at Solliden Castle in the southeastern part of Sweden on Sunday, July 12 (local time).

It was the first time that a Swedish King had invited a foreign head of state to his summer resort castle for a luncheon meeting.

At the meeting President Lee expressed his hopes that the King would continue to promote friendship between Korea and Sweden, which mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. The President also expressed his personal appreciation for King Carl XVI Gustaf''s five visits to Korea, which according to Lee, have substantially contributed to bilateral relations.

The President asked for Sweden to play its part, as chair of the European Union, in ending North Korea''s military provocation on the Korean Peninsula.

The President highlighted King Carl XVI Gustaf''s contribution to world youth education and exchange as the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, and applauded Queen Silvia for her unstinting work in the fields of health and welfare.

The two leaders discussed plans to enhance policy exchanges in labor, education, gender equality issues and to help solve environmental problems including global warming.