Building a Bridgehead for Arctic Cooperation... Pohang Mayor Gangdeok Lee Holds Successive Meetings with Key Figures in Iceland and the Arctic

First Local Government Leader to Attend Arctic Circle Assembly, Expanding Arctic Networks
Accelerating the Development of New Economic Frontiers such as Arctic Shipping Routes and Eco-Friendly Marine Technologies

Gangdeok Lee, mayor of Pohang, became the first head of a local government in South Korea to officially attend the Arctic Circle Assembly, the largest international forum on Arctic affairs. Through this, he sought to strengthen climate and economic cooperation with northern cities and to establish a Pohang-style global diplomatic network.

Kangduk Lee, mayor of Pohang (fifth from the left), is taking a commemorative photo with Lars Kullerud, president of the University of the Arctic (sixth). Provided by Pohang City

With this participation, Pohang has opened a new chapter in local diplomacy aimed at becoming an international city, focusing on carbon neutrality and cooperation on Arctic shipping routes.

The Assembly, which opened on October 16 (local time) in Reykjavik, Iceland, brought together more than 2,000 participants from governments, cities, institutions, and companies across 60 countries. They discussed sustainable development in the Arctic, climate action, and economic cooperation strategies.

Mayor Lee began his schedule in Iceland by meeting with key local figures and representatives of major Arctic institutions. He shared Pohang’s industrial competitiveness and climate response strategies, proposing close cooperation measures.

In a meeting with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, they identified common ground in the marine industry and renewable energy sectors and agreed to pursue ongoing exchanges to address the climate crisis.

Minister Gylfadottir noted the high potential for collaboration between Pohang and Iceland in industrial and marine sectors, expressing her willingness to expand exchanges of strategic value and experience regarding Arctic shipping routes. Meanwhile, Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson of the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate discussed cooperation on renewable energy and marine carbon neutrality.

Mayor Lee proposed a joint “Korea-Iceland Electric Fishing Vessel Development Project” that would combine Pohang’s secondary battery and hydrogen technology with Iceland’s clean energy capabilities. Minister Thordarson expressed expectations for collaboration in decarbonizing transportation and marine sectors.

Subsequently, Mayor Lee met with representatives from key Arctic organizations such as the Arctic Economic Council (AEC), University of the Arctic (UArctic), and Arctic Mayors’ Forum (AMF) to discuss building networks for economic, educational, and urban cooperation.

Notably, during his meeting with AEC Chair Avaya Karlsoy Knudsen, Mayor Lee officially expressed Pohang’s intention to join the Arctic Economic Council and proposed signing an MOU for economic cooperation during the “Arctic Cooperation Week” in Busan this December.

Chair Knudsen responded, “During my visit to Korea in December, I will discuss concrete cooperation and visit Pohang in person.”

In talks with UArctic President Lars Kullerud, Mayor Lee proposed that local universities such as POSTECH and Handong Global University join the University of the Arctic to foster talent for climate action and implement joint research programs.

Finally, in his meeting with Patty Bruns, Secretary-General of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, Mayor Lee expressed his hope for Pohang to become a member, stating, “We wish to build cooperative partnerships with various cities in the Arctic region.”

Secretary-General Patty Bruns responded that the participation and role of local governments are crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the Arctic, expressing her expectation that this would be a meaningful starting point for cooperation between Arctic cities and Pohang.

Mayor Lee also introduced Pohang and discussed cooperation plans with global representatives from academia, industry, and government attending the Arctic Circle Assembly. He expressed his commitment to continuing exchanges so that Pohang can establish itself as Asia’s hub city for Arctic cooperation. He emphasized, “This visit was the first step in introducing Pohang’s industrial capabilities and carbon neutrality experience to the global stage and in expanding our economic territory through the Arctic. It will serve as a new turning point for northern economic cooperation and carbon neutrality diplomacy in the future.”

Opening Ceremony of the Arctic Circle Assembly.