1. A government delegation of the Republic of Korea attended the second Arctic Circle Assembly, a global forum on the Arctic, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, from October 30 to November 2, and introduced the ROK government’s Arctic policy. The delegation, led by Ambassador for Climate Change Choi Jai-chul of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consisted of officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the Busan City government, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, and other related organizations.
2. In his remarks titled “Korea and the Arctic” on November 1, Ambassador Choi outlined the ROK’s Arctic policy and related activities. He also explained that since its accession to the Arctic Council as an observer in May, 2013, the ROK has actively participated in discussions at the Arctic Council and its working groups and task forces and discussed ways for cooperation in various areas with member states of the Arctic Council.
o Ambassador Choi stated that the ROK will overcome challenges originating from climate change by utilizing its capabilities in scientific research and competitiveness in such industries as shipbuilding and ICT, and also seize the economic opportunities presented by the melting of the Arctic Ocean. He added that in doing so, the ROK will cooperate with various stakeholders, including member states of the Arctic Council and indigenous communities.
3. On the sidelines of the Assembly, Ambassador Choi paid a courtesy call on President of Iceland Grimsson on November 2 and explained the ROK’s “creative economy” policy. The two sides also discussed the way forward for the Arctic Circle and ways for the ROK to contribute to that. Ambassador Choi also requested Iceland and other Arctic Council members’ interest in the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), established to respond to climate change.
o President Grimsson expressed his appreciation for the ROK government delegation’s participation in the second Arctic Circle Assembly and offered to strengthen bilateral cooperation in Arctic-related issues.
4. Since joining the Arctic Council as an observer in May, 2013, the ROK has expanded and strengthened cooperation in Arctic issues with countries around the world.
o On the bilateral front, in summit meetings with her counterparts from member states of the Arctic Council, including the US (April 2014), Canada (March and September, 2014), Russia (November 2013), and Denmark (September 2014), President Park Geun-hye proposed to promote cooperation in scientific research and development in the Arctic and reached an agreement on such cooperation. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se also offered to create a 1+5 Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the Nordic countries composed of five member states of the Arctic Council. In the first 1+5 meeting which took place in September, 2014, the ROK and the five Nordic countries agreed to work together in conducting joint research in the Arctic and developing the Arctic route.
o In addition, the ROK introduced its Arctic policy at various international meetings hosted by the Arctic Council member states, including the Ny-Ålesund Symposium in Norway attended by Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in May, 2013. The ROK has also taken active part in and contributed to discussions on scientific investigation at the Council’s senior officials’ meetings and working group meetings.
- Since being appointed to serve on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Arctic for a two-year term in September, 2014, Second Vice Minister Cho has actively participated in discussions on Arctic-related major issues, including financing Arctic development.
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA
*unofficial translation