Korea Recent Developments in Korean Polar Policy and Legislation

초록

Korea has long recognized the humanitarian and national significance of the Arctic and Antarctic. Korea has actively participated in scientific research in the Antarctic and has promoted economic cooperation with the Arctic nations. Korea joined the Antarctic Treaty System in 1986; established the Antarctic King Sejong Station in 1988, the Arctic Dasan Station in Ny-Alesund, Norway in 2002, and the Antarctic Jang Bogo Station in 2014; and joined the Svalbard Treaty in 2012. Furthermore, Korea has participated in summits with the Arctic nations since 2008. In 2009, then President Lee Myung-Bak visited Russia, Greenland, and Norway to promote cooperation in shipbuilding, energy resources, among others, over the Northern Sea Route. In 2018, Korea announced the Policy Framework for the Promotion of Arctic Activities of the Republic of Korea (2018-2022) and the 2050 Polar Vision. The Korean government's polar activities are underpinned by policies and plans, which include the Basic Plan of Antarctic Research (2007-2011, 20122016, 2017-2021), Measures for the Advancement of Polar Region Policy (2012), Comprehensive Arctic Plan (2013), and Korean Arctic Master Plan (2013-2017, 2018-2022). In April 2021, the Korean government passed the Polar Activities Promotion Act,1 which embodies the legal framework for Korea's commitment to the polar region. This note will focus on recent developments in Korean polar policy and legislation.