The next-generation icebreaker research vessel, which will follow the only icebreaker research vessel, Araon, in Korea, is set to launch in the summer of 2030. The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) originally planned to conduct research in the Arctic and Antarctic for 85 days, but recently decided to extend that period to 277 days, more than three times as long.
Currently, Araon is at sea for about 250 days a year, but the actual time spent on research is around 85 days. This is due to the long transit times between the Antarctic and Arctic. Once the next-generation icebreaker research vessel is launched, Araon will focus on the Antarctic, while the next-generation icebreaker will focus on the Arctic, allowing for research to be conducted without wasting time.
Shin Hyung-cheol, the director of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), noted in an interview on the 5th, "If we have two icebreaker research vessels, the actual number of days dedicated to research could increase as much as fivefold," adding, "Research in high-latitude waters, including the North Pole, will be possible in almost every season, which will significantly alleviate the research gaps that arise when only Araon is deployed."
Climate change has brought extreme weather events such as severe droughts, heatwaves, and torrential rain, causing significant damage, while also melting ice and creating new opportunities for Arctic shipping routes. There is more interest in the polar regions now than ever before. Director Shin stated, "Korea started polar research relatively late, but is now leading globally by utilizing research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic and icebreaker research vessels."
◇In the Antarctic, Araon; in the Arctic, the next-generation icebreaker research vessel
The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) is a government-funded research institute studying the Antarctic and Arctic and celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Research began in the Antarctic with trial operations at the end of the 1970s, and the opening of the King Sejong Station in 1988, during the Seoul Olympics, marked the official start of Antarctic research.
Korean polar research made significant leaps since 2009 with the operation of the first icebreaker research vessel, Araon. Independent research in the Arctic and Antarctic began. Currently, in partnership with Hanwha Ocean, the goal is to complete the next-generation icebreaker research vessel by 2029.
The next-generation icebreaker research vessel will be considerably larger, at 16,560 tons, compared to Araon (7,507 tons). The hull length will also be about 140 meters, much longer than Araon (111 meters). Director Shin explained, "Once we receive the vessel in 2029, it will undergo comprehensive trial voyages in polar waters and officially launch in 2030."
An icebreaker moves forward by breaking ice under its own weight once it is on top of the ice. Director Shin explained, "The next-generation icebreaker can push through ice that is 1.5 meters thick at a speed of 3 knots (about 5.556 km/h)," adding, "Compared to Araon, which breaks through ice of 1 meter thickness at the same speed, this represents a 50% improvement in icebreaking capability."
Improved icebreaking capability will increase the number of frozen sea areas accessible. Director Shin stated, "By the summer of 2030, when the next-generation icebreaker begins its voyages, it will be able to navigate across the entire Arctic Ocean," which will reduce the burden on Araon, which has been traversing both the Arctic and Antarctic.
Director Shin noted, "Although Araon is out at sea for about 250 days a year, the actual time spent on research is less than expected due to the long distances to the ends of the Earth," and emphasized, "If we have two icebreaker research vessels, the actual number of days dedicated to research will increase not just double, but at least threefold, and potentially fivefold."
Currently, Araon visits the Arctic during the summer months from July to September, and during the Southern Hemisphere summer from October to April of the following year, it travels to the Antarctic. The institute plans for Araon to focus on the Antarctic while the next-generation icebreaker research vessel will take charge of the Arctic. With the extended research period, it will be possible to explore and observe seasonal changes, not just in the summers of the Arctic and Antarctic.
◇"The climate crisis presents an opportunity for Arctic route development"
The polar regions are areas where the impacts of climate change are felt quickly, severely, and sensitively. In particular, temperatures in the Arctic are rising 3 to 4 times faster than the global average due to climate change. Such changes will affect the entire planet. Korea is no exception.
The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) is observing various aspects of the polar regions, including the ocean, atmosphere, and ecosystems, and analyzing the impacts of climate change. At the same time, it is conducting research to find the correlations with unusual climate phenomena occurring domestically. Director Shin emphasized, "The reduction of sea ice in the Arctic leads to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cold snaps, heavy snowfall, and torrential rain in Korea," and added, "To predict future changes in the Arctic environment, we must scientifically identify the causes behind this loss of sea ice."
The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) conducts annual research related to changes in sea ice in the Arctic using Araon. However, research can currently only be conducted up to around 80 degrees latitude during summer. Director Shin stated, "Utilizing the next-generation icebreaker research vessel will allow for research in high-latitude waters, including the North Pole, during all seasons except for when sea ice is most prevalent from February to June."
The academic community believes that the rapid reduction of Arctic sea ice due to climate change can be viewed as an opportunity to promote commercial navigation along the Arctic route. The Arctic route is also expected to play a crucial role in diversifying global supply chains and establishing stable logistical networks. The commercial navigation sector that is anticipated to be the first to open is the Northeast Passage under Russian jurisdiction.
Director Shin explained, "The Northeast Passage is over 7,000 kilometers shorter than the southern route via the Suez Canal, reducing transport time between Busan and Rotterdam, Netherlands, by 32% (about 10 days)," adding, "This contributes to fuel cost savings and reduced emissions, while also avoiding the piracy risks in the Malacca Strait and the political instability of the Red Sea." He remarked, "From the shipping companies' perspective, this also presents the advantage of maintaining regular services with fewer vessels while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions."
◇"Korea, a leading country in polar research after 25 years"
Korea began polar research activities relatively later than other advanced countries, such as the United States and Germany. Just 25 years ago, Araon was still under construction, which limited Korea's capacity to lead polar exploration. The scientific stations in the Arctic and Antarctic, along with icebreaker research vessels, have elevated Korea's research level to that of a leading country.
Director Shin stated, "The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) publishes over 200 research achievements cited by international scientists each year," adding, "Notably, we have made world-first achievements, such as elucidating the influence of Arctic sea ice loss on cold snaps in Korea and the role of ice shelves in preventing the melting of Antarctic glaciers." Snow that falls inland accumulates into glaciers, and glaciers that slowly flow out to sea form ice shelves.
Director Shin noted, "Korea is already recognized as part of the leading group in the polar science community," adding, "In the past, we looked to the pioneering countries for lessons, but now they will look to us to see how we operate."
The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) currently collaborates with over 70 institutions from 20 countries. In 2021, Kim Ye-dong, former director of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), was elected as the first chair of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to represent the Antarctic scientific community in Asia, and Director Shin Hyung-cheol has been invited to serve as an advisor from 2024 in one of the largest public-private forums in the Arctic, the Arctic Circle.
Last year, Korea was selected as the host country for the joint academic conference of the International Arctic and Antarctic Scientific Organizations (POLAR 2030), scheduled for 2030, which will see participation from over 2,000 polar scientists from around the world. Additionally, this year, Kim Ji-hee, a leading researcher at the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), was elected as the vice-chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) of the Antarctic Treaty.
Director Shin stated, "The academic influence of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) significantly contributes to expanding Korea's scope of activities beyond academia and into government institutions and collaborative bodies in the Arctic and Antarctic," and expressed hope that the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) would become more widely known and receive more attention and investment in the future.