By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
The construction of South Korea's second ocean research station was completed Tuesday off the nation's southwestern coast.
Designed to monitor and collect data that will enable local experts to respond to global environmental challenges, the Gageocho Ocean Research Station, located 47 kilometers southwest of Gageo-do, South Jeolla Province, rises 10 stories above the water surface, according to the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI), the state-run maritime research agency.
This is the second state-of-the-art center built in Korea, following the Ieodo Ocean Research Station, which was completed in 2003.
Officials say the 10-billion-won system will be responsible for collecting data related to the ocean, weather and the environment.
It will provide information on a real-time basis via the Mugunghwa satellite to help local experts make ocean and weather forecasts, and map out ways to respond to climate change issues.
``South Korea will be under more impact from the warm current due to climate change,'' said Lee Yoon-ho of KORDI. He explained that the new ocean research center has been built in an ideal location for the monitoring of environmental changes.
The Gageocho station, built to withstand wind speeds of up to 40 meters per second, will be powered by wind and solar energy under normal circumstances, according to officials. It will use diesel generators during emergency situations.