[Interview] Shin Hyungchul, Director of the Polar Research Institute: "Arctic Route Research Achievements Will Become Korea's Future Assets"

[The Arctic: The New Route of Power]
Focus on Areas of Strength
Cooperate with Arctic Nations
A Long-Term Perspective Beyond a Decade Is Essential

"The research achievements related to shipbuilding, shipping, and ports, which are being conducted to pioneer the Arctic route, will ultimately remain as future assets for our country. While cooperating with Arctic nations, we must continue Arctic research through consistent and stable investment."

Shin Hyungchul, Director of the Polar Research Institute, made these remarks during an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 11th at Ondream Society in Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "We need to plan long-term research in response to the growing interest in the Arctic route."

The Polar Research Institute is an agency under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries responsible for Korea's overall polar policy, operating scientific bases in the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as icebreaking research vessels. Director Shin took office in December 2023.

Shin Hyungchul, Director of the Polar Research Institute, is giving an interview to The Asia Business Daily on the 11th at Ondream Society in Jung-gu, Seoul. Polar Research Institute

Director Shin emphasized, "We should not just wait for the geopolitical crisis to end, but instead, we must make strategic choices and focus on what our country can do. If we do not rule out the possibility of discovering new energy sources in the Arctic, then it is only right to prepare accordingly." The following is a Q&A with Director Shin.

-The development of the Arctic route is being actively promoted as a national agenda. What is the current situation?

▲It has been about ten years since there was realistic interest expressed in the Arctic route. If Korea is planning long-term investments for the future, the Arctic route is an important opportunity that cannot be overlooked. While I understand those who express skepticism due to perceived low potential, by that logic, there would be no fields for future investment in our country. According to scientists, the trend of melting ice covering the Arctic Ocean is progressing faster than expected. It is almost certain that by 2050, the Arctic will be more accessible than it is now. Therefore, it is not at all strange to be preparing for this.

-The Arctic route is also emerging as a crisis issue due to climate change. What are your thoughts?

▲At first, I did not consider it something to welcome. However, I now believe we must prepare for it and identify every possible alternative. It is not enough to focus solely on carbon reduction as the only solution; we must also prepare other alternatives. In this context, it is essential to review the Arctic route. Assuming the era of the Arctic route may arrive, we need to consider what we will export, what we will import from Europe, expand our options, and examine various possibilities. The research achievements for pioneering the Arctic route will not disappear; they may bear fruit.

-Geopolitical tensions are rising in the Arctic region. How do you view this?

▲I believe we should make good use of the geopolitical crisis. Rather than thinking that nothing can be done due to geopolitical tensions, we should take a positive view. Although the war in Ukraine is prolonged, it would be beneficial if, during this time, we make efforts to restore relations with Russia. Although it must be approached cautiously, I suggest we use this period as a time to thaw relations with Russia, which have been frozen due to various sanctions following the war. The absence of Russia has led to interruptions in regularly accumulated data and information gaps, so efforts are needed to restore this data and improve relations at the same time.

-Compared to China and Japan, what competitive advantages does Korea have?

▲China is at a disadvantage in terms of trust with all Arctic countries except Russia. This means that we are perceived as a much less threatening country to Western nations than China. Additionally, we have the advantage of being able to respond more flexibly in policy terms than Japan. Therefore, our goal should be to become a smart and trustworthy partner for Arctic countries. We should keep both bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks in mind.

-Could you elaborate further?

▲Among the approximately 100 agenda items presented by the six Arctic Council working groups, we need to identify projects that require priority cooperation. For example, these could include marine environmental conservation, shipping, and projects in cooperation with indigenous communities in the Arctic region. The goal is not merely to achieve results, but to build trust. Most communities in the Arctic region are composed of indigenous peoples. Based on the capabilities of these communities, we can jointly conduct environmental monitoring or restoration projects.

-What further efforts are needed?

▲Fortunately, Korea's polar research has been able to continue steadily regardless of political orientation. When the case was made for enhancing national prestige, it was generally accepted. Patience is required in supporting research, and if only immediate results are expected, polar research may not be seen as highly valuable. However, if we succeed in predicting the Arctic route, it will be an achievement that no country can ignore. To do this, empirical observation, computer modeling, and comprehensive assessments of various ecological risks are necessary, and Korea is one of the countries capable of this. With steady support, we have also built up human resources, so we must continue to lay the foundation for leading the development of the Arctic route through stable government support.

About Director Shin Hyungchul

▲Born in Seoul in 1964 ▲Master's in Oceanography from Seoul National University ▲Ph.D. in Marine Ecology from the University of Tasmania, Australia ▲Head of the Overwintering Research Team at King Sejong Antarctic Station (2010-2011) ▲Secretary General of the Korea Arctic Research Consortium (2017-2019) ▲President of the Korean Society of Oceanography (2024-2026) ▲Director of the Polar Research Institute (2023-present)