Korea Targets Arctic Sea Route by 2030

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo attending and answering questions at the parliamentary inspection (Provided by Yonhap News) A concrete roadmap for the regular opening of the Arctic sea route was presented at the parliamentary inspection of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee of the National Assembly, held for the first time at the relocated Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries building in Busan on Oct. 12. Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo announced through his opening remarks on this day that he would closely analyze the results of the Arctic sea route test operation conducted this year to prepare a more substantial test operation plan for next year. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to open a regular service route for the Arctic sea route by 2030 after undergoing additional test operation processes. In fact, the domestic container ship Panstar Acro, which departed from the Busan Port on August 22, completed a 50-day voyage on the Arctic sea route and returned to Busan on Oct. 11, the day before the parliamentary inspection. Minister Hwang emphasized that the ministry will accumulate such operational experience and data while establishing a comprehensive support system necessary for vitalizing the Arctic sea route, including the timely development of port infrastructure, the training of polar professionals, and the development of core technologies for ice-resistant and icebreaking ships. In the fisheries sector, an innovation plan integrating information and communication technology was introduced. Minister Hwang announced a plan to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based grading system for laver and establish a dried laver exchange to enhance the international competitiveness of K-seafood. The purpose is to maintain the momentum of seafood exports by continuously discovering promising export products. The policy of expanding protected areas for the conservation of the marine ecosystem was also reaffirmed. Mentioning the case of designating approximately 1000 square kilometers of uninhabited island waters in the central Yellow Sea as a marine protected area in July, he explained the plan to continuously increase the designation of protected areas to meet the consensus of the international community. Institutional maintenance to guarantee the right to mobility of residents in island regions has also entered its final stage. Minister Hwang added that he will make every effort to ensure the public management system for coastal passenger ships is implemented without a hitch starting next year in accordance with the amendment to the Marine Transport Act that passed the National Assembly in May. Minister Hwang expressed his willingness to promote oceans and fisheries policies closely linked to pending regional issues, stating that he finds it meaningful to undergo the parliamentary inspection in Busan.