"Here the healthcare system is different, and less hands-on than in South Korea, where an ultrasound is performed every other week," says Jong il.
– My wife was very scared of giving birth naturally here in Sweden, as it’s not normal in South Korea. Most people there have a caesarean section.
I’m sitting talking to Jong il Lee and his wife Youngeun Kim, who moved here from Seoul, South Korea in summer 2023. Youngeun became pregnant after just three months of living here, so the news was met with excitement but also trepidation.
Youngeun listened to the doctors, and once they told her that her pregnancy was normal, trusted their advice and decided to deliver naturally.
Jong il goes on to explain that before leaving South Korea his wife had miscarried, so they were understandably nervous about this pregnancy.
– Here the healthcare system is very different, and much less hands-on than in South Korea, where an ultrasound is performed every other week, says Jong il.
Although the couple knew a few Korean people here, they had no experience of childbirth and there was little information in Korean about the Swedish approach to childbirth.
– The midwife and doctors kept smiling, even though I asked so many questions, Jong il laughs.
The pregnancy went smoothly, and today they are proud parents to a four-month-old daughter, Chaewon Lee.
In South Korea Jong il worked for chemical corporation Dongjin Semichem, mother company to the Dongjin Sweden AB factory built in Skellefteå in 2020.
Dongjin supplies Carbon Nanotube Slurry (CNT) that is used in battery production at Northvolt.
When Jong il found himself dispatched to Skellefteå Youngeun gave up her job as a preschool teacher, something that Jong il is incredibly grateful and proud of. It’s incredibly touching to see his respect and adoration for Youngeun.
Before Youngeun gave birth she’d made rapid progress with Swedish and had already progressed to SAS (Svenska som andraspråk) grund level. She’s already made a bucket list for 2025, and top of that list is to graduate and apply to work at their nearby preschool in Bureå.
Although the couple knew a few Korean people here, they had no experience of childbirth and there was little information in Korean about the Swedish approach to childbirth.
Youngeun explains that it’s as much to establish her own identity here as it is to earn money, having felt isolated and alone when they first moved here.
When I ask them about the differences between life in Seoul versus Skellefteå, the most noticeable contrasts are the landscape, population and the air quality.
It’s not uncommon for micro dust to blow over from China to South Korea, so air purifiers are always used inside and people hardly ever venture outside without a mask. The clean air in Norrland is something the couple do not take for granted, especially for the health of their daughter.
With winter just around the corner, the couple are looking forward to being able to enjoy winter season sports, particularly skiing.
– We love the snow here. In South Korea we don’t get white snow; it’s always yellow. People actually use umbrellas to protect themselves from the snow because it’s so dirty, Youngeun explains.
"People actually use umbrellas to protect themselves from the snow in South Korea because it’s so dirty", says Youngeun.
They look genuinely surprised when I tell them how preschool children here eat the snow - something that certainly would not have happened in their homeland.
The clean Norrland snow is just one of the many surprises they’ve had since moving here. After all, they were worried about having a baby in Norrland, but now they recommend it.
– Don't be afraid of childbirth. The Swedish healthcare system is excellent, better than our expectations. I suggest that newcomers have a baby; it helped us to settle here!
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.
Jong il Lee, his wife Youngeun Kim and their four-month-old daughter, Chaewon.