The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the "First Korea-Swedish Arctic Council" at the annex of the Seoul Government Complex on March 8.
Since joining the Arctic Council as an observer in 2013, Korea has held bilateral Arctic councils with six Arctic countries to respond to international issues related to the Arctic, including climate change and Arctic routes, and to find cooperation agendas in areas such as oceans, infrastructure, and energy.
The Korea-Swedish Arctic Council is the first bilateral Arctic Council with Sweden. It is meaningful that Korea has expanded the bilateral Arctic Council operated with members of the Arctic Council.
The two sides confirmed that meaningful scientific cooperation between the two countries is underway, including continuous Arctic atmospheric observation using the Nialson Science Base (Jefflin Observatory), where the Arctic Dasan Science Base is located. Both party agreed to expand scientific research and human exchanges to foster polar experts and revitalize networks.
Both Korea and Sweden discussed ways to use the icebreaker as a country, participation in the undersea optical cable project, cooperation between Sweden's abundant strategic resources and battery sector, and cooperation in green shipping to slow the warming rate of the Arctic region.
Through the Korea-Swedish Arctic Council, understanding of both countries' arctic policies, such as climate change response and sustainable development, was enhanced. In particular, the two countries agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation through the Arctic Council, the venue for major discussions on the Arctic.
Korea, which marks the 10th anniversary of its membership as an observer of the Arctic Council this year, plans to contribute to key Arctic issues such as climate, environment, and local cooperation in the Arctic as a reliable partner.