This special contribution is based on the presentation given by Professor Young-Chul Ko of Kazan Federal University at the international academic conference hosted by Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University in Russia on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. 

 

This paper is scheduled to be published in a journal accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in May 2026. The main points of the presentation, translated from Russian into Korean, are as follows: The Arctic is expected to become a new strategic region in the 21st century. As ice melts due to climate change, the commercialization of the Arctic shipping route, the expansion of resource and energy development, the increase in Arctic industrial cities, and the intensification of international political competition will occur.

 

▲ Reference: Provided by Professor Ko Young-chul

 

In particular, Korea's top priority with Russia is maritime cooperation on the Arctic route, followed by cooperation in resource development. Therefore, in order to secure cooperation with Russia, a counterpart, it is necessary to study Russia's laws, policies, and scientific capabilities.

 

Currently, international laws regarding the Arctic include the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Svalbard Treaty. Additionally, while non-Arctic states do not possess sovereignty, they have the freedom and rights to navigate, fly, explore resources, and develop in the high seas of the Arctic Ocean, international seabeds, and other specific areas.

 

Looking at prior research and research trends regarding the Arctic in Korea and Russia, Russia has actively conducted various studies since the Soviet era, whereas South Korea began to take an interest in the Arctic in the late 1980s.

 

Regarding Korea's Arctic research, 62 papers published from 2007 to 2025 could be found through the Korean paper site 'Korea Access Journal'.

 

There were 17 articles (27%) in the fields of geology, atmospheric variability, and marine environment; 10 articles (16%) in the field of comparison of policies and polar activities among Korea, China, and Japan; 8 articles (13%) in the fields of international law, the Arctic Council, and networks; 8 articles (13%) in the field of the Northern Sea Route and transport; 7 articles (11%) in the field of ethnic minorities and their economic problems; 5 articles (8%) in the field of energy resource development; 3 articles (5%) in the field of resolving polar issues; 3 articles (5%) in the field of cooperation measures between Korea and Russia; and 1 article (2%) in the field of Arctic tourism.

 

In contrast, the results of research in Russia show that, based on a search of 200 papers published from 2007 to 2025 on the Russian paper site 'eLIBRARY.RU - НАУЧНАЯ ЭЛЕКТРОННАЯ БИБЛИОТЕКА', the number of papers by field is as follows.

 

There are 67 articles (34%) in the fields of resources, geology, and development; 61 articles (31%) in the fields of environment and ecosystems; 59 articles (30%) in the fields of history, culture, geography, and socio-economics; 8 articles (4%) in ports and logistics; and 5 articles (3%) in security.

Arctic research is actively being conducted in the fields of science, politics, society, economy, and culture. In particular, with 24 papers published in 2024 and 24 in 2025, totaling 48 papers, recent research related to the Arctic is expanding and there is great interest throughout Russia.

 

The relevant fields in which Korea can participate are as follows.

1. Establishment and operation of the Arctic shipping route - Based on cooperation with Russia

2. Resource Acquisition and Supply Chain Diversification

3. Promotion of Korea's shipbuilding industry following the commercialization of the Arctic shipping route

4. Opportunities for Logistics Hubs on the Arctic Route: South Korea's Busan, Pohang Yeongil Bay, Ulsan, Gwangyang, Mokpo Port, etc.

 

▲ Reference: Provided by Professor Ko Young-chul

 

The Korean government's vision and goals for the Arctic are to "expand from a focus on scientific research to addressing Arctic issues such as climate, environment, and indigenous peoples, and to participate in sustainable development through the '2050 Arctic Activity Strategy.'"

 

Russia's Framework Law on Arctic Development: In 2020, Russia enacted the “Federal Law on State Support for Entrepreneurial Activity in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation,” a key law for the development of the Arctic region. This law is designed to promote economic activity in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.

 

This law, adopted in 2020 and currently planned until 2035, aims to make the Arctic a national strategic economic region. Its main contents include tax breaks for companies investing in the Arctic region, operation of special economic zones, support for energy and mineral development, and development of ports and infrastructure.

 

Following his visit to Murmansk in March 2025, President Putin extended the target dates for these strategies to 2050 and issued follow-up instructions for their specific implementation. Along with this, the latest orientation of Russia's Arctic policy is most specifically outlined in President Putin's instructions released by the Kremlin in May 2025. (Published in section: Presidential Instructions. Publication date: May 16, 2025, 18:00)

 

The history and prospects of Arctic cooperation between Russia and Korea are as follows.

Since the 1990s, South Korea and Russia have begun cooperation in polar research. The main areas of cooperation are Arctic climate research, marine environment surveys, and Arctic ecological research.

However, current relations between the two countries are highly unstable, and geopolitical differences and sanctions pressure from the West, including the United States, are hindering cooperation between South Korea and Russia. Nevertheless, for the mutual economic interests of both nations, cooperation must be strengthened in the following areas. 

 

In conclusion, to promote mutual benefits between Korea and Russia, it is first necessary for Korea to construct several icebreakers early on to facilitate convenient movement and research in the Arctic, as well as to build ports and offshore plants in various regions within the Arctic.

 

Next is maritime cooperation involving the free use of Arctic shipping routes by Korean vessels through cooperation with Russia.

 

Next, various resource development projects in the Arctic must be pursued through Korean capital investment.

 

The Institute of Korean Studies at Kazan Federal University began research on the Arctic in 2024, and in this regard, Professor Ko Young-chul, along with Associate Professor Silaeva Zoya of the Department of International Relations at Kazan Federal University, a Russian Arctic expert, and Professor Kashbraziev Rinas of the University of Finance under the Russian Federation in Moscow, an expert in international transport, are conducting joint research between Korea and Russia.

 

[Notice] "Please be advised that this content is based on the contributor's professional insights and views and is independent of the publication's official policy."

 

 

 

Professor Ko Young-cheol

Born in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province in 1955, he earned a Ph.D. in Education with a dissertation on curriculum theory. He currently serves as a professor of Korean Studies, head professor of Korean language education for master's programs, and director of the Korean Studies Institute at Kazan Federal University, dedicating himself to promoting the Korean language, history, and culture in Russia.

(1990–1994) Adjunct Professor (Lecturer) in Education: Sejong University, Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Korea National Sport University, etc.

(1994–2015) Professor (Moscow): Professor at Russian State Social University, National Management University, etc.  

[Concurrent] Founder and Principal of the Moscow Korean School, President of the CIS Association of Korean Schools, and former President of the Moscow Association of Korean Schools

(September 2015– ) Professor: Professor, Kazan Federal University; Director, Institute of Korean Studies, Kazan Federal University

 

[Korea Economic Daily]