Korea's New Survival Strategy:
Southeastern Region as an Energy Logistics Hub
"The Arctic Route Will Change the Fate of Korea!"
Korea National Oil Corporation (President Kim Dongseop) hosted a seminar titled "The Impact of the Arctic Route on Our Resource Security" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the afternoon of the 15th and participated in a panel discussion.
This seminar aimed to assess the current status and outlook of the Arctic route, as well as its impact on the energy industry, and to explore the areas Korea needs to prepare for. The event was organized by Assembly members Lee Unju and Moon Daerim, co-hosted by Korea National Oil Corporation, Energy Economic News, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and Korea Ocean Business Corporation, and sponsored by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
In her congratulatory remarks, Assemblywoman Lee Unju emphasized, "The Arctic route is not merely a logistics pathway but a new survival strategy to prepare for climate change and geopolitical transitions." Assemblyman Moon Daerim stated, "Korea has strengths to lead the Arctic era in globally competitive fields such as shipbuilding, shipping, and energy infrastructure."
The keynote presentations were delivered by former Secretary General of the National Assembly Lee Kwangjae and Professor Lim Eunjung from the Department of International Studies at Kongju National University. Their topics were "The Impact of Pioneering the Arctic Route on the Globe and Korea" and "The Impact of the Arctic Route on the Energy Industry and Korea's Preparedness," respectively.
Former Secretary General Lee Kwangjae said, "The Arctic route is a historic opportunity that can change Korea's geopolitical destiny." He suggested that, for Korea to become Asia's number one hub, it should focus on: fostering Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam as a maritime capital, developing a world-class port investment and operation company following the Singapore PSA model, and establishing a Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam circular railway network.
Professor Lim Eunjung diagnosed, "The issues of the Arctic route and energy development in the Arctic region are situated in a complex structure where geopolitical competition, climate change, and market dynamics intersect." She also recommended that the government: package exports of shipbuilding, LNG transport, and port infrastructure; leverage the Arctic route to help the southeastern region of Korea become an Asian energy hub; and take the lead in establishing international norms and cooperation on the Arctic through multilateralism.
In the following panel discussion, Kim Iltae, Head of the Energy Infrastructure Business Division at Korea National Oil Corporation, emphasized, "It is considered more economically viable to develop the Arctic route as an 'energy logistics route' rather than a general cargo logistics route." He also highlighted that the Ulsan South Port, which Korea National Oil Corporation is developing as an integrated energy logistics terminal, could serve as the optimal hub for the Arctic route.
On the 15th, a seminar on the impact of the Arctic route and resource security was held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
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