By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Melting icebergs in the Arctic due to global warming did something unexpected: unveiling the polar region's potential as an energy reservoir, a center for environmental preservation, and a marine route for commercial shipping.
South Korea and other countries have set out on a voyage to join a dialogue and discussion on the Arctic.
A Seoul delegation was in Norway last week to collect support from Norway for South Korea's entry as an observer into the Arctic Council, a multilateral organization for environment preservation, natural resource development and protection of indigenous Arctic tribes.
The group was led by Oh Joon, deputy minister of international organizations, global issues and treaties at the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry.
Seoul submitted its application in May.
For shipping power South Korea, the main interest lies in commercial routes through the Arctic.
``Being an observer of the Arctic Council will help us enter the discussion among the Arctic nations over preservation and development of the area. That will also help our government brainstorm policies on development of marine transportation,'' a ministry official told The Korea Times.
Canada, Denmark, Russia, the United States, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland are members of the Arctic Council. Norway will chair the organization until 2009.
Vast oil and gas reserves in the area have ignited a race among member states to gain control of the continent shelf.
Last year, Russia planted its flag on the seabed below the North Pole, and resumed flights of bomber jets to the Arctic Ocean, an activity which had been halted after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In May, Moscow also launched its largest conventional icebreaker, bringing its fleet there to 14 ships. The move has been closely watched by other member states.
Six indigenous tribes are permanent council participants, and France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and several international organizations like the Arctic Parliamentarians and International Red Cross Federation are observers.
The council has five working groups directly involved in field work, including the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program; Conservation of Arctic Flora & Fauna; Emergency Prevention, Preparedness & Response; Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment; and Sustainable Development Working Group.
In addition, three programs and action plans ― Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, Arctic Human Development Report, and Arctic Contaminants Action Plan ― carry out experiments and programs.
Observer membership will be determined next year at a ministerial meeting. A unanimous vote is needed to choose an observer.
``With the region attracting increasing attention, the admissions process will involve thorough reviews of the applicant nation's qualification,'' the ministry official said.
Since 2002, South Korea has run the Arctic Research Station Dasan at the Ny Alesund Arctic Research base, conducting research on climate and marine species ecology.