Arctic interests of South Korea

The research discusses the main reasons for South Korea’s interests in the Arctic region. The milestones of development of South Korea’s Arctic policy are examined as well. The Arctic policy of the Republic of Korea includes the periods from the first studies in the late 1980s up to an active Arctic research due to the launch of the Arctic research station (Arctic Dasan Station) in Spitsbergen, Norway in 2002. Furthermore, it implies the periods when South Korea has been granted the temporary observer status of the Arctic Council in 2008 and when the first icebreaker has been built in 2009 up to 2013 when it has been granted the permanent observer status of the Arctic Council, its economic involvement has been increased and the Arctic Policy Master Plan for 2013-2017 has been presented.