1. A delegation of the government of the Republic of Korea, led by Ambassador for Arctic Affairs Kim Chan-woo, and experts from the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), and other related organizations will attend the 10th Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, Norway, from January 24 to 29.

2. In the upcoming conference under the theme of “Industry and Environment,” government officials, businessmen and experts from around the world will discuss various Arctic issues, including cooperation at the Arctic Council; business opportunities in the Arctic; search and rescue operations and oil pollution prevention in the Arctic; and scientific and research cooperation.

o With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Arctic Council, minister-level representatives from many countries, including Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and other major Arctic countries, will attend the conference and deliver speeches on the state of the Arctic and the Arctic Council.

3. Ambassador for Arctic Affairs Kim Chan-woo will attend two sessions as panelist on January 25 and 26. Ambassador Kim will put forward the proposal of the ROK, as Arctic Council observer, on the way forward for the Arctic Council, and announce the ROK’s views on maritime cooperation in the Arctic.

o Ambassador Kim will especially discuss ways to expand participation in the Arctic Council by experts from observer states, and present the ROK’s views on appropriate ways to promote maritime cooperation in the Arctic in a wide range of areas, including environment, fisheries and resources.

4. The Arctic is providing various economic opportunities, as it is at the forefront of international cooperation to respond to climate change, as well as a new shortened route connecting Europe and Asia. While participating in the international community’s joint efforts to respond to climate change and to promote sustainable development of the Arctic, the ROK government is exerting various efforts to make best use of the new economic opportunities presented by the Arctic.

5. As participants of the upcoming conference will review the current state of the Arctic Council and the Arctic, and based on the review, discuss the way forward for the Arctic, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Arctic Council, Ambassador Kim’s participation is expected to help the ROK expand its activities in the Arctic and pave the way for the ROK’s views to be reflected in designing the future of the Arctic.


*unofficial translation