- Kim Gun, a Korean father raising two children in Sweden and author of "Swedish Latte Papa" -

Introducing Daddy & I, a new sister publication from Mom & I! As part of this special project, we have been exploring the "fatherhood effect," which highlights the benefits of active father involvement in parenting. The main theme has been the "Swedish Latte Papa," an exemplary model of positive fatherhood, which we have introduced in two installments. In this issue, we hear firsthand about the "fatherhood effect" from Kim Gun, a Korean father living in Sweden who has even published a book titled "Swedish Latte Papa." Let's meet a real Latte Papa in Sweden who is actively practicing and experiencing the benefits of fatherhood.

Interview and summary by the Mom & I editorial team

Kim Gun
Born in 1981 in Seoul, Kim Gun grew up in an ordinary family. He couldn't forget the culture shock he experienced during his exchange student days in Norway and returned to complete his master's degree in health economics at the University of Oslo. He later moved to Sweden, met his wife, had two children, and settled in Stockholm. He currently works as a health economics researcher at AstraZeneca and is pursuing a PhD at Karolinska Institute in Sweden, all while juggling parenting duties. His published works include "Swedish Latte Papa" and "I Live in a Welfare State."

What led you to Sweden?
I enjoyed my life in Norway, where I first learned about the concept of a "life with dinner." After finishing my studies, I was fortunate to land my first job in Sweden while searching for employment.

Please introduce your family.
My family consists of my Korean wife, whom I met in Stockholm, our six-year-old son, our two-year-old daughter, and me, making four of us in total. Our eldest started school this fall, while our youngest is attending kindergarten. In Sweden, there is no strict distinction between public and private education. Since all schools must follow the government-mandated curriculum, there is no difference in the content of classes or tuition fees.

What do you find to be the biggest differences between basic education in Sweden and that in Korea?
There is a relatively high emphasis on outdoor activities. Regardless of rain or snow, especially during the harsh Swedish winters, children must spend several hours outdoors, even if they have runny noses. This encourages active physical activity and helps develop adaptability to the environment. Additionally, compared to indoor activities, outdoor play is said to enhance children's immunity and prevent infectious diseases and safety accidents. Initially, I felt sorry for the kids and worried about them, but over time, I came to appreciate the educational benefits.

There was a meeting between the First Lady of Korea, Kim Jung-sook, and Swedish Latte Papas. Kim Gun served as the host for the event.
You published a book titled "Swedish Latte Papa." What motivated you to write this book?
I wanted to inform fathers in Korea that the biggest beneficiaries of paternity leave are the fathers themselves. While there are realistic challenges such as workplace culture, career interruptions, and financial losses, I believe that improving the system and changing fathers' mindsets are both essential.

I've heard that the image of a Latte Papa in Sweden is symbolized by holding a coffee cup while pushing a stroller. Is that something you do as well?
American tourists in Sweden have remarked that when they see Latte Papas pushing strollers, they think, "There are a lot of gay couples here." During my paternity leave, I took the stroller out seven days a week. In the early days of parenting, I often rushed out without even washing my face, but as I became more accustomed to parenting, I made an effort to at least look presentable, if not perfectly groomed, like the dads here. I would find a café with ample space to park the stroller and choose a large table where parents and children could sit together. I would play with the kids and feed them the formula or baby food I had brought from home. Honestly, during this time, parents are often so busy that they struggle to understand each other. After changing diapers and filling a take-out cup with coffee, I would prepare for a walk. We would head to a quiet park where the kids could sleep peacefully in the stroller. The reason walking around with coffee is common in Sweden is that children need to be pushed in the stroller to take their naps. It's almost a forced walk. Of course, it’s not bad for the parents either, as it allows for conversation. I’m not usually very talkative, but during these walks, I found myself chatting a lot. It was almost the only time during the day when I could talk to another adult. It was nice to share the joys and challenges of parenting with someone.

When do you feel most like a Latte Papa?
I feel like a Latte Papa when I experience the everyday moments with my children as the happiest times in my life.

Can you share some stories about your experiences with other Swedish Latte Papas?
First, I want to clarify that parenting styles vary greatly, so this is just my personal perspective. Compared to Korean fathers, Swedish Latte Papas believe that the only thing they cannot do in parenting is breastfeeding.

In Sweden, parents can receive parental benefits and take nearly two years of parental leave. If the breastfeeding period is set at one year, the wife can take the first year, and the husband can take the second year. This creates an environment where parenting can be shared. If there were doubts about the mother's parenting style in the early stages, the father can find answers to those doubts while taking care of the child or can try out his own parenting methods. I believe there is no single correct way to parent. The process of discussing and developing each other's parenting styles between mothers and fathers is what true shared parenting means.

Swedish parents seem to be particularly unconcerned about what others think when it comes to parenting. This is different from Korean mothers, who often rely heavily on information shared in online parenting cafes or cultural centers. Aside from basic medical information and parenting knowledge provided by pediatricians, the rest is left to parental discretion. Since each parent and child has different parenting situations, the answers can vary as well. Parents can apply their own parenting philosophies. Outdoor activities during parenting are also relatively more common. It’s not unusual to see parents taking their newborns outside, and young children playing in the grass or sandboxes, getting dirty. This contrasts sharply with the image of children playing in neatly organized indoor play cafes.

*In the next issue, we will continue with Part 2 of "Hearing Directly from Real Latte Papas about the Fatherhood Effect!