Recognizing the potential and value of the Polar Regions
Polar Research Institute
Until now, the North and South Poles were places only seen in animation or documentaries. These areas are difficult to learn about in everyday life, so naturally our interest in and understanding of them, beyond knowing that they have penguins and polar bears, was hardly sufficient. However, the citizens of Incheon have a chance to gain more affection toward the North and South Poles after the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), which aims to discover the limitless potential and value of the Polar Regions, made Songdo, Incheon its home.
Writer Jang Gyeong-seon Photos Hong Seung-hoon
The Polar Regions hold the keys to climate change 
Throughout the history of the Earth, the cold oceans of the Polar Regions were the origin of the climate change process, since they were most susceptible to such change. In fact, the past events on Earth, such as global warming, reduction of glaciers, changes in the ecosystem, etc., are all recorded in the sediments of the Polar Regions. By studying these sediments, we can forecast future rises in sea level and changes of climate in advance. Polar research institutes exist for just such studies.
To study climate change at the South Pole, Korea constructed the ‘King Sejong Station’ at King George Island of South Shetland in 1988. Korea is also constructing ‘Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station’ at Cape Mobius in Terra Nova Bay to advance into the center of the Antarctic continent. The construction of this station is scheduled to be completed by next year. Meanwhile, to study the environment and climate of the North Pole, Korea constructed ‘Dasan Korea Arctic Research Station’ at Ny-Alesund on Spitsbergen Island (part of the Svalbard Archipelago in Norway) in 2002. In 2009, Korea built a research icebreaker, the ‘Araon,’ to navigate and explore the frozen areas of the Polar Regions independently. Using this infrastructure, the Korea Polar Research Institute is studying various aspects of the Polar Regions, including the atmosphere of the regions, the climates of the regions in ancient times, geological features, geophysics, meteorites, oceanic environments, and bio resources, to find the reason for global climate change.
Coming a step closer to the citizens
At the end of last April, the Korea Polar Research Institute moved into its new building in Songdo, Incheon, and opened the ‘Polar Science Promotion Center’ on the 1st floor. Holograms describing the North and South Poles are installed at the entrance of the promotion center. In the center, there are stuffed specimens of animals brought directly from the Polar Regions, as well as a miniature model of King Sejong Station. Drilling machines such as the drills for glaciers are also displayed. After upgrading its facilities, the center is planning to open a two-hour field trip program which includes a tour inside the research lab. Only groups or organizations will be eligible to apply for this program, and the application format will be posted on the homepage of the center.
There are also polar experience programs which use the infrastructure for polar research. The Korea Polar Research Institute is operating the ‘Arctic Research Experience Team’ which provides middle and high school students an opportunity to study and learn about the North Pole, and the ‘Antarctic Research Experience Team,’ which provides biology science teachers, artists and college students an opportunity to study and work with scientists. To popularize science in the Incheon region, the center is also holding exhibitions and providing lectures at local events such as the Incheon Science Festival and the Dream in Yeonsu Festival. In connection with WISET of Inha University, the center is also running the Elementary School Science Camp and the Experience Program for students majoring in science and engineering.
