Thanks, JezzRulz
The whole purpose of the visit is again to promote Danish commerce, not least Danish design, hence the focus on furnitures, fur, exclusive glasses and fashion.
Interestingly, the growing middle class in the Far East, especially China, who are the main targets for the consumer products, think differently than similar target groups elsewhere in the world.
The bed-lining chain Jysk, which specialise in cheap, yet god quality pillows, duvets and so on, have had success practically whereever they open a store. But they have so far flunked in China.
Reason: The Chinese middle class want status. So affordable bed lining from what is almost seen as a discount-chain is not that interesting for Chinese consumers. They prefer to buy more exclusive brands, from more exclusive stores at a much higher price.
So fairly expensive Danish design is just what the middleclass is looking for.
The visit has been well covered here in DK so far. The insence that Mary was to light during the wreath laying ceremony is in honour of the UN soldiers who were killed during the Korean War. (The war isn't formally over). Unfortunately Mary's lighter malfunctioned.
The whole ceremony was to a large extent prepared by a Danish officer stationed in Korea, on behalf of the UN. We saw on TV how he briefed M&F's adjutant in detail, so that he could guide M&F later on.
I think Mary looked great during that ceremony. Simple elegance. - That's the way to do it.
I found the banging on the huge drum interesting. Can someone in the know enlighten us to what that was about?
Mary is accompanied on this trip by her hairdresser, Søren Hedegaard and her chambermaid, Tina Jørgensen. And as such it's likely that Frederik's valet will be there as well.
M&F will stay at Hotel Shilla during their visit.
Frederik will at some point meet a doctor You.
Many years ago, You, who worked as shoe polisher to pay for his studies, wrote a letter to Frederik IX, asking whether he could continue his education in Denmark. A scolarship was granted and You went on to head a major agricultural reform in Korea.
Frederik will also be hoisted up in a crane, so that he can put the final brick on a huge Lego World Tower, build by Korean children.
This is a full scale commercial offensive. So no less than four Danish ministers will accompany M&F:
The Minister for Commerce, Ole Sohn. (He used to be a Communist, no longer! He's also pragmatic and I like that, eventhough I wouldn't dream of voting for his party).
Minister for Trade and Investments, Pia Olsen Dyhr.
Minister for Education and Innovation, Morten Østergaard. (Whom I would very much like to knock on the head).
And Minister for Development, Christian Friis Bach.
This visit is about serious money! Hence the absence of the Foreign Minister. The diplomatic aspect was taken care of at recent visit by the PM, Helle Thorning.
ADDED: Two clips from TV2
http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php/id-50305234:video-mary-bes%C3%B8ger-kr%C3%A6ftsyge-b%C3%B8rn.html
Where Mary visited a ward for children with cancer.
She said afterwards that it of course affects you to see children with cancer but also that she noted how well they were taken care of.
(Notice the PET officer behind her and the Korean security officer in the background).
76 Danish companies accompany M&F to Korea.
A 36 pics gallery from TV2:
http://galleri.tv2.dk/Nyhederne/50276692/0/
A background article from TV2:
http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php/id-50276189:galleri-mary-laver-håndtegn-i-sydkorea.html
Korea is considered an overlooked market. There are 48 million consumers there, who can be compared to Danish consumers in regards to the money they have to spend.
On top of that most live with their parents until they marry and in the meantime thay have plenty of money to spend.
Korea is also the country from where most adopted children in DK come from.
A gellary with fairly large pics from Berlingske Tidende:
http://www.b.dk/billedeserier/kronprinsparret-besoeger-sydkorea
I'm a sucker for details
so let's have a look at the TV2 gallery again:
TV 2 Gallery
#1: The officer carrying the wreath behind M&F is their adjutant, from the army and wearing the dress uniform.
The tall navy officer behind them is the Danish officer, who is working as a part of the UN contingent still stationed there. DK contributed with a hospital ship during the Korean War. It was he who briefed the adjutant. He is kaptajnløjtnant = lieutenant commander = kapitänleutnant. (The Danish system of ranks follow the German system).
#3: The Last Post is played. Notice the adjutant saluting. The salute with the hand at a right angle is peculiar to the Danish army. It's also pretty akward.
#4: The keen eyed will notice that PET is present.
#6, 7 & 8: Notice the drumsticks, or whatever you call them, when they are that big. Frederik got a blue one, while Mary used a red. Wonder why?
#19: The honour guard is interesting. Notice the yellow guards cord and the red stripes on the upper arms, signifying service length. So these are professional soldiers. I see there are no magazines in the M-16 rifles.
#21: I wish we had a close up of their badge, but they look like marine infantry to me.
#28: This is where Mary's lighter caused trouble.
Notice the colourbearers in the background. One of course holding the UN flag, but I can't make out the nationality. One is holding the Korean flag (does it have a name?) and a third Dannebrog. That however is an American soldier and not a Danish soldier. The colourguards are a very tall Korean soldier and a US army soldier, wearing the gala uniform and the M-14 rifle, now only used for ceremonial duty.
