The international community has approved Korea's plan to build a second research station on Antarctica, paving the way for the facility to be completed in 2014, the government said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said members of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) approved the comprehensive environmental evaluation for the Jang Bo-go Antarctic Research Station.
Receiving approval of the environmental impact evaluation is critical if a country wants to set up a research station on the southern continent. Seoul had submitted its building plan for review in June 2011 and earmarked 106.7 billion won ($91.4 million) for the building project.
The ministry said support came at the 35th meeting of the ATCM held in Australia, with many countries giving high marks for comprehensive efforts to build an eco-friendly base.
Once the station is built, Korea plans to use it to monitor climate change in Antarctica, conduct space science research and check topographical features on the frozen continent. The facility, to cover 4,458 square meters, can accommodate up to 60 people with a research staff of 16 to be stationed at all times.
The Jang Bo-go base located on Terra Nova Bay is expected to further bolster the country's efforts to conduct scientific research in Antarctica. At present, Seoul's only research base on the continent is the King Sejong Base on King George Island, which has been in operation since 1988. (Yonhap)