Korea's scientific research ship the Araon, which previously completed missions to the South Pole, set sail from Incheon Harbor for the North Pole on July 20.

The icebreaker will head to the Arctic on a 67-day mission to cover regions of the Bering Sea, the East Siberian Sea and the Chukchi Sea.

The Araon will be specifically exploring the continental shelves of the East Siberian Sea, focusing on the presence of gas hydrates, which are solid ice-like forms of water that contain gas molecules in its molecular cavities. The Korean team will research any correlation between the melting of gas hydrates and the release of methane gas in large quantities into the atmosphere. They will also collect primary data on polar seabed resources.

Moreover, the Araon team will undertake joint research projects with seven countries from the Pacific Arctic Group (PAG), including the U.S., China and Japan. Together, the scientists will observe arctic phenomena, such as ice formations in the East Siberian Sea and the melting of the ice caps in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Through the research, the scientists hope to assess environmental changes in the Arctic that's underway due to climate change.





At the launch ceremony on July 20, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-suk said, "The melting of the polar ice caps due to climate change is both a global challenge and a research opportunity. The Araon departs for the continental shelves of the East Siberian Sea with a mission to explore the availability of seabed resources. We are hopeful that the team will return from its mission with promising results."

By Lee Hana / Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Korea Polar Research Institute
hlee10@korea.kr