1. The government of the Republic of Korea will announce its “polar vision 2050,” an integrated polar policy direction it has set to take over the next 30 years by building on the outcome of its polar activities over the past 30 years.

2. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the “Arctic Partnership Week 2018” event in Busan from December 10 through 14.

3. The “Arctic Partnership Week” event is held for Arctic experts at home and abroad to get together and seek ways to build a sustainable Arctic future in various areas, including Arctic policies, science, technology, and industries. Held on an annual basis since 2016, the event has become a signature Arctic brand in the ROK.

4. The upcoming third event will take place under the theme of “Cooperation and Innovation for Arctic Future.” In particular, set to come in conjunction with the “Arctic Circle Korea Forum (a Lotte Hotel, Seoul, December 7-8),” which is called the “Davos Forum on the Arctic,” the “Arctic Partnership Week” event is expected to help further enhance the ROK’s standing as a “responsible partner for Arctic cooperation.”

5. The forthcoming event will bring together some 1,000 people, including delegates from international organizations and government agencies, and members of industrial, academic and research bodies: Among them will be Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-choon, former President of the Republic of Iceland Olafur Grimsson, Representative for Arctic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Park Heung-kyeong, and Chair of the Arctic Economic Council Tero Vauraste.

6. The “Arctic Partnership Week 2018” will kick off with an opening ceremony on December 10 and consist of a “Policy Day” (December 11); a “Science-Technology Day” (December 12); a “Shipping Day” (December 13); and an “Energy-Resources Day” (December 14). Academic conferences will be held for discussions on Arctic-related issues.

° In particular, at the opening ceremony, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-choon will announce the ROK government’s “vision 2050,” which will contain the Arctic policy direction the country has set by building on its Arctic-related achievements made over the past 30 years.

° The “vision 2050” will include the ROK’s plan to become by 2050 one of the seven leading countries on Arctic affairs that are seeking to open up a new future in the Arctic region. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will put forth seven strategies to that end and use them as guidelines for its five-year “basic plans on Antarctic research activities” and “basic plans on the promotion of Arctic activities.”

7. In conjunction with the event, various special sessions will take place, bringing together delegates from the Arctic Economic Council and members of business circles at home and abroad: Among those sessions will be “an Arctic Business Dialogue,” “a Korea-Denmark Arctic Shipping Seminar,” and “a CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) Seminar,” and “a PAME SEG (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Shipping Experts Group) Seminar.” Various side events, such as exhibitions of Arctic photos and polar expedition equipment, a virtual reality (VR) event, and Arctic-related video clip screenings will take place as well.

8. The head of the Marine Industry Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries mentioned that the  announcement of its “vision 2050” will serve as a good opportunity for the ROK to share with the international community its integrated polar policy. He went on to voice hope that the “Arctic Partnership Week” event will continuously be used as an opportunity for the ROK and the international community to address and cooperate on Arctic-related issues.

* unofficial translation