The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Sat, March 6, 2021 | 17:13
Image of Korea
King Sejong Station
Posted : 2008-02-21 19:15
Updated : 2008-02-21 19:15
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

King Sejong Station, located 17,240 kilometers from Seoul on King George Island in the Antarctic, celebrated its 20th birthday Feb. 17. The island is about 95 percent covered with ice and snow. A grand view of King Sejong Station.
/ Courtesy of Korea Polar Research Institute

By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

The South Pole is one of the few places on Earth untouched by development or pollution. It is mankind's last hope, a last reservoir of resources. Sejong Base Camp, located on Antarctica's King George Island, some 17,240 kilometers from Seoul, celebrated its 20th anniversary Feb. 17.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, King Sejong Station was expanded, improving its facilities to accommodate up to 100 researchers, up from the current 60. Also, the Korea Polar Research Institute plans to commission an ice-breaking research vessel in 2009 and pursue in earnest its plan to build a base on Antarctica.



South Korea began to pursue a base after becoming the 33rd signatory to the Antarctic Treaty in November 1986. Sejong Base Camp, its resident science camp, was completed Feb. 17, 1988. Numerous researchers who have worked at the camp have achieved many scientific feats.

In 2003, a natural gas reservoir with a capacity that exceeds by 300-fold South Korea's annual consumption, was found in the Antarctic seas. Research into plankton in the Antarctic Ocean paved the way for world's first technology that allows blood to remain unchanged even when stored at low temperatures. A meteorite investigation team found meteorites both this and last year, endorsing South Korea's status as the world's fifth country to find meteorites. Researchers also cooperate with international teams to conduct yearlong research into the environment.



Antarctica is the sole place on Earth where gains from science research are recognized as gains for the nation. South Korea, through the Korea Polar Research Institute, controls the overall management of research in distant places.

Because of the vast natural resources of the Antarctic, countries are pouring heavy investment into the region. As man-made pollution prompts severe concerns and changes in ecology as seen with climate warming, the role of Sejong Base Camp is growing ever more vital.

shim@koreatimes.co.kr
















 
 
  • 279 caught for spreading disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Seoul encourages foreign residents to take COVID-19 tests
  • Medical experts warn against excessive fears of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Animal rights activists dump coconuts in front of Thai embassy, criticizing forced monkey labor
  • Fire engulfs old Buddhist temple in southwestern region
  • Reporting on Korean digital sex crimes: Western comparison
  • South Korea approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
  • Sarkozy conviction
  • [INTERVIEW] Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies
  • US International Trade Commission reaffirms ruling in favor of LG over SK in battery feud
  • Stars accused of school bullying paying price Stars accused of school bullying paying price
  • Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects
  • K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination
  • Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action
  • Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use
DARKROOM
  • Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

    Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

  • Earth is suffering

    Earth is suffering

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright