The country has been operating an icebreaker, named Araon, since 2010. There have been growing calls for the construction of a second icebreaker since Araon, built in November 2009, was in operation in the Arctic for 311 of 365 days this year, officials said.
The contemplated measure is part of plans to broaden inroads into the Arctic in the 2010s, which were announced by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
The Basic Arctic Plan also calls for the creation of a consortium to establish the (South) Korea Arctic Research Institute next year. Think tanks and private companies are invited to participate in the consortium.
In addition, the government will seek to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Russia to pave the way for the country to participate in the development of Arctic ports operated by Russia, and refurbish South Korean ports as shipments through the Arctic have grown.
Last year, the amount of cargo passed through the North Pole region surged 53 percent from a year earlier, according to the ministry.
It takes about 25 days for South Korea’s cargo to reach northern Europe via an Arctic shipping route, compared with 40 days via routes through the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, it said.
Besides, the government will set aside 25 billion won to set up a center to provide assistance to the offshore plant industry on Geoje Island off the south coast.
The ministry said it will also select people who will serve as members of six working groups of the Arctic Council.
Last May, South Korea gained permanent observer status at the eight-member Arctic Council. Previously, Korea was an "ad-hoc observer" at the council. The eight member countries are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
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