Swedish-Korean Association
Swedish friendship association that promotes solidarity and engagement with North Korea.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Swedish-Korean Association, known in Swedish as Svensk-koreanska föreningen and commonly abbreviated SKA, is a Sweden-based friendship organization focused on relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea. It was established in 1969 and is based in Stockholm. The organization describes itself as independent of Swedish political parties, while openly expressing solidarity with the North Korean state and its political system. Since 1972, the association's stated aims have included spreading information about developments on the Korean Peninsula, supporting efforts toward Korean reunification, and working for recognition of the DPRK. Its public position emphasizes North Korea's right to exist and to defend itself against external interference. The association presents the DPRK's political and economic system in strongly favorable terms, describing it as uncompromisingly socialist, and maintains friendly relations with North Korean state institutions and affiliated organizations. The SKA's activities have included study meetings, conferences, public rallies, workshops, exhibitions, and educational events. It has arranged visits to North Korea, conducted seminars concerning the Juche ideology, and translated and published books and other materials. During the North Korean famine, the organization also arranged humanitarian assistance. Since 1970 it has published the quarterly periodical Korea-information, also identified by the Korean title 조선통보, which serves as a channel for information and commentary concerning North Korea and inter-Korean affairs. The association has been described as having approximately 300 members. Its activities combine cultural and political exchange with advocacy: rather than operating as a neutral cultural society, it explicitly supports the DPRK's legitimacy and official positions on sovereignty, security, and reunification. In 2011, following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the association's vice chairman was interviewed by North Korean state radio, illustrating its close relationship with North Korean official media and institutions. The organization's work is centered in Sweden, but its subject matter and contacts are international because they concern Sweden–North Korea relations and the broader Korean Peninsula. Available reference material does not establish a commercial business model, corporate ownership structure, legal successor, or financial information. It is best understood as a membership-based friendship and advocacy association rather than a conventional consumer brand.
History
The Swedish-Korean Association was formed in Sweden in 1969 as a friendship organization concerned with relations between Sweden and North Korea. Its early work developed during a period when international organizations and solidarity groups sought to build political, cultural, and informational links with states and movements outside the dominant Western alliances. From 1970 onward, the association published the quarterly magazine Korea-information, also known by the Korean title 조선통보. The publication has functioned as an information and advocacy outlet focused on North Korea, the Korean Peninsula, and the association's interpretation of inter-Korean affairs. The organization has also translated and published books and held educational activities intended to introduce Swedish audiences to North Korean political ideas and official perspectives. In 1972, the association broadened its stated objectives. These included spreading knowledge about events and conditions in Korea, supporting Korean reunification, and promoting recognition of the DPRK. Its position has not been politically neutral: the association has expressed open solidarity with the North Korean regime, defended the country's right to exist and resist outside interference, and characterized its governmental system as socialist. At the same time, it has described itself as independent of Swedish political parties. Its program has combined public events and direct contact. Activities have included study circles, conferences, rallies, workshops, exhibitions, and seminars on Juche. The association has arranged travel to North Korea and maintained friendly relations with North Korean state bodies. During the North Korean famine, it organized humanitarian assistance, adding relief work to its longer-term political and cultural engagement. The association has been reported to have approximately 300 members and remains based in Stockholm. A notable indication of its relationship with North Korean official channels came in 2011, when its vice chairman was interviewed by North Korean state radio after Kim Jong-il's death. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of the association's finances, legal structure, staff, or current program beyond its stated activities and leadership history. Its continuing identity is therefore that of a small Swedish membership association devoted to friendship, advocacy, information, and exchange concerning North Korea.
- 2011
Vice chairman appears on North Korean state radio
[1]Following Kim Jong-il's death, the association's vice chairman was interviewed by North Korean state radio.
- 1972
Objectives expanded
[1]The association added objectives concerning information about Korea, support for reunification, and recognition of the DPRK.
- 1970
Korea-information begins publication
[1]The association began publishing the quarterly magazine Korea-information, also associated with the Korean title 조선통보.
- 1969
Association established
[1]The Swedish-Korean Association was formed in Sweden as a friendship organization focused on relations with North Korea.
Products and positioning
Friendship, advocacy, and educational association supporting relations with North Korea and the DPRK's stated positions on sovereignty, socialism, and Korean reunification.
Quarterly magazine · 1970
Korea-information
A quarterly publication issued by the association since 1970. It provides information and commentary about North Korea, the Korean Peninsula, and the association's positions on Korean reunification, DPRK sovereignty, and relations with outside powers.
Educational publications
Translated and published books
The association translates and publishes books and related materials connected with North Korea, Korean affairs, and Juche-oriented educational work. Specific titles and publication dates are not identified in the available reference material.
Marketing campaigns
- Humanitarian aid during the North Korean famine
Sweden · North Korea
The association organized humanitarian assistance during the North Korean famine, adding relief activity to its political, cultural, and educational engagement.
Recent events
- 2011
Association representative interviewed after Kim Jong-il's death[1]
Other
The association's vice chairman was interviewed by North Korean state radio following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, reflecting the organization's close relationship with North Korean official media.
Sources2 sources
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