[AK View] The Opening of the Arctic Sea Route Will Change the Course of History

The last remaining sea route on Earth is opening up. On September 23, China's state-run Global Times reported that the container ship "Istanbul Bridge" had completed cargo loading at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province, China, and was preparing to depart for major European ports such as Felixstowe in the United Kingdom and Rotterdam in the Netherlands via the Arctic route.

The "China's Arctic Express" route, operated by China Hi-Jie Shipping, is being recognized as the first regular commercial route connecting Asia and Europe through the Arctic. The transit time from Ningbo to Felixstowe is only 18 days, which is 12 days shorter than the 40 days required via the Suez Canal. China's efforts to accelerate the construction of the "Ice Silk Road," symbolizing the northern expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (the land and maritime Silk Road), are progressing rapidly.

It was not an empty statement when then-U.S. President Donald Trump declared his intention to incorporate Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, into U.S. territory to secure resources such as rare earth elements and crude oil and to pioneer the Arctic route. On August 27, Danish public broadcaster DR reported that three Americans linked to President Trump had secretly entered Greenland and carried out a covert "influence operation" to stir up pro-independence sentiment.

As global warming melts the Arctic glaciers, the Arctic route is becoming a new stage for U.S.-China rivalry. A report by the Arctic Council, which consists of eight Arctic coastal countries, predicts that by the summer of 2040, the Arctic Ocean will be almost ice-free. While the climate crisis is causing damage around the world, it is paradoxically opening new sea routes by melting the Arctic ice.

The opening of the Arctic route could present a significant opportunity for South Korea. The Arctic route has long been highlighted as a "game changer" in maritime logistics, offering shorter shipping distances and reduced transportation costs. The southeastern coast, including Busan, is the shortest gateway to the Arctic. The distance from Busan to Rotterdam is about 15,000 kilometers, which is approximately 7,000 kilometers shorter than the 22,000 kilometers via the Suez Canal. The voyage time is also reduced by more than 10 days. This is the most economical sea route connecting Northeast Asia and Europe.

Kim Taeyu, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University and known as a "national future strategist," argues that the Arctic route is more than just a logistics innovation; it is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for South Korea to become a central player in the global order. In his book "Korea's Last Opportunity Is Coming," published in May, Professor Kim emphasized that securing a hub port along the Arctic route is the last rare chance in the nation's history. He stated, "If we focus our efforts on Busan Port, which already has global port infrastructure as a hub for the Arctic route, related companies and industrial complexes will cluster there," and added, "A logistics hub and financial city akin to Singapore at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula could be born."

The Lee Jaemyung administration is also preparing its response. The government has designated the development of the Arctic route as a key national agenda item, plans to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan within the year, and will begin pilot operations for the "Korean Route" starting next year. There are many challenges to overcome, including geopolitical instability in the Arctic route, where Russia and China have significant influence. However, not only the United States and Nordic countries such as Norway, but even Russia, are reaching out to cooperate with South Korea, which possesses world-leading shipbuilding technology for icebreakers and eco-friendly vessels.

When a new route opens, a new era begins. Now, at the gateway of the Korea Strait, a new Arctic route is opening that rivals the Silk Road, the Spice Route, and the Atlantic route, all of which changed the course of human civilization. In the 15th century, Europeans overcame their fears and set sail, ushering in the Age of Exploration. In the 21st century, the era of the Arctic route is dawning, and an opportunity is coming for South Korea.

Cho Youngcheol, Head of Content Editing Team 1