HiPHILA

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The King Sejong Station Special - February 15, 2008



It is a place that guards the secret of ancient times. A place of extreme cold with temperatures plunging as low as 50 degrees below zero. This is about the South Pole located at the southern end of the earth.

As the earth’s environment undergoes profound changes resulting in global warming, destruction of the ozone layer, etc., these changes have emerged as the critical issue that will determine the very survival of human beings. In this regard, the South Pole has become a very important subject for research designed to identify and predict the changes. Rich in natural resources such as fishery resources, petroleum, minerals, etc., the South Pole is attracting growing interest from and competition among the world’s nations.

After the Antarctic Expedition, an arm of the “Sea Explorers of Korea,” first set its foot on the South Pole in 1985, South Korea established the King Sejong Station in February 1988 on King George Island in South Shetland Islands. At King Sejong Station, a 17-member winter research team and 60~70 member summer research team conduct research & exploration activities year round. Having legitimized its status through the ATCP (Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party), South Korea has reaped many accomplishments in its Antarctic research through exhaustive research and countless explorations on icebound rivers, meteorites, and changes in the earth’s climate. Currently, in the South Pole area, 47 stations from 20 countries are carrying out research activities.

The year 2007~2008 is the International Polar Year that comes once every 50 years to promote joint research on South and North Poles by all related scientists around the world. On this occasion, countries who have established themselves in the South Pole area are trying to strengthen their international position through both independent research projects and international joint research projects. This is the first International Polar Year to be participated in by Korea, which has a 20-year history of research in polar regions. In particular, Korea has an ambitious plan of constructing an ice-breaking ship by 2009 and building a second station on the Antarctic Continent by 2011.

It is expected that the King Sejong Station, which celebrates its 20th anniversary, will make meaningful contributions to the shared prosperity of all mankind.

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