Developing as an Arctic Route Hub... Exploring the Role of 'Pohang Yeongilman Port' in the Era of Climate Change

May 5, Seoul National Assembly Library Hosts 'Arctic Route Hub Port Forum'

Hosted by Seoul, Gyeongbuk Province, and Representatives Kim Jeongjae and Jeong Heeyong, Preparing for the Arctic Era

Highlighting Potential and Roles to Advance as an Arctic Route Hub Port

On the 5th, Pohang City held the Arctic Route Hub Port Forum under the theme "From Yeongil Bay to the Arctic, Pohang! Opening the Arctic Ocean" at the National Assembly Library's small conference room.

On the 5th, a forum on Arctic route hub ports titled "From Yeongil Bay to the Arctic, Pohang! Opening the Arctic Ocean" was held at the National Assembly Library.

The forum was attended by Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang; National Assembly members Kim Jeong-jae, Jeong Hee-yong, and Lee Sang-hwi; Anastasia Konstantinova, Russian expert from the NEAR Secretariat; as well as Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party; and National Assembly members Kim Ki-hyun, Cho Kyung-tae, Yoon Jae-ok, Lee In-seon, Lee Man-hee, Lee Dal-hee, and Kwon Young-jin.

The event provided an opportunity to reexamine the potential of Pohang Yeongilman Port, the only container port in Gyeongbuk Province, and to explore strategic roles for advancing it as a hub port on the Arctic route.

This forum was jointly hosted by Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province, and National Assembly members Kim Jeong-jae and Jeong Hee-yong to discuss the role of Yeongilman Port in preparation for the commercialization of the Arctic route, in light of the accelerated Arctic sea ice melting and the expected increase in cargo volume using the Arctic Ocean, as well as the sustainability of the port as a logistics hub in the East Sea region.

The forum began with a keynote lecture by Ha Young-seok, Chairman of the Korea Shipping and Port Academic Association Council, titled "Challenges of Pohang Yeongilman Port in the Arctic Route Era."

Chairman Ha emphasized, "The opening of the Arctic route will reduce the transportation distance between Asia and Europe by more than 30%, greatly helping to reduce shipping costs," adding, "Pohang Yeongilman Port is an important hub for the Arctic route and has great potential to establish itself as a logistics hub with the advent of the Arctic era."

Following the keynote speech, Kim Min-su, Head of the Economic Strategy Research Division at KMI, presented on "Current Status and Prospects of the Sustainable Arctic Route Era," and Park Seon-yul, Associate Research Fellow at the Gyeongbuk Research Institute, gave a presentation on "Measures to Revitalize the Arctic Route Linked with Pohang Yeongilman Port."

Additionally, a panel discussion chaired by Kim In-hyun, Honorary Professor at Korea University Law School, provided a meaningful opportunity to explore ways for Pohang Yeongilman Port to proactively prepare for the Arctic era based on expert opinions.

Participants reached a consensus that since the Arctic has shallow waters allowing only small vessels to operate, developing Pohang Yeongilman Port as a hub port on the Arctic route would offer significant advantages not only regionally but also nationally in securing a competitive edge in the Arctic era.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated, "This was a meaningful occasion to explore the potential of the Arctic route based on the capabilities of Pohang Yeongilman Port," adding, "We will continue our efforts to prepare proactively for the leading Arctic route era so that Pohang Yeongilman Port can become a hub port on the Arctic route and leap forward as an economic hub in the East Sea region."

Pohang City expects that this forum will accelerate projects aimed at transforming Pohang Yeongilman Port into a hub port on the Arctic route, developing Pohang into a global logistics center and contributing to strengthening the region's growth engine.